The Librarian is the ‘front end’ of the event and is there to explain how everything works. When you arrive at the tables of the Human Books event the Librarian will be on hand. They will show you the book catalogues, which give a potted synopsis of each ‘Book’ available to borrow over the weekend. They will help you to choose a suitable book, explain when they are available & direct you to the Chief Librarian to make a booking.
The Chief Librarian takes charge over all the other Librarians and crucially holds the booking sheet for the session. They also time each session and send other Librarians to the yurts to warn readers that time is almost up! At the end of the session they ring the school bell & the Readers leave their Books & the Books go back to the shelf.
Books are generally read by only one Reader at a time, in exceptional circumstances the Librarian may allow for more, if the Book is happy to oblige.
Librarians introduce Readers to their Books at the beginning of each session. They act as greeters at the yurts, and sometimes as ‘pullers’, explaining to the thronging crowds why they should come & join in at our event. They change the booklist on the blackboard at the end of each session.
There are 12 Librarians in total, with 4 on duty at any given time.

Librarians helping with book choices

Librarian writing the sign

Chief Librarian

A pair of Librarians at work

Librarians

Librarian with Book catalogue