Photo/DAN PELTON LIFE'S AN OPEN BOOK: The Alder Street branch of the Orangeville Public Library was the scene of a "Living Library" last week, where people appeared as "books," relaying conversation and life experience in order to break down stereotypes and prejudices." One of the books was Preeya Rateja, left. She is shown with Dave Quinton, one of the event facilitators. If one was to pick up one of an eclectic selection of 21 books on display at the Orangeville Library's Alder Street branch last Thursday, the book may have piped up and declared: "Hey, put me down!"

The "books" in the "Living Library" were actually people who were there to either speak to, or converse with, those who "checked them out" for a half-hour session.

The aim of the event was to, in the words of Orangeville Library CEO Cynthia Weir, "break down stereotypes and prejudices." The concept was initiated in Denmark in 2000 when five youths responded to a mutual friend's brutal stabbing by launching an organization called Stop The Violence.

The Living Library evolved from there.

The 21 titles at the Alder library included people of different ethnic and racial origins, gays and lesbians, disaffected youths, and those with various physical and emotional afflictions that sometimes leave them marginalized within the community.

One of the books was titled Woman of Courage/ Woman of Colour, aka Preeya Rateja, an Orangeville resident who works as a probation officer in Brampton.

The overall message conveyed by Ms. Rateja was tolerance and optimism. This could stem from the fact she moved here from Calgary last year and has found the community "warm and welcoming."

This is in marked contrast to six years ago when she was in Orangeville for a law enforcement conference. At that time Ms. Rateja, a Canadian by birth and South Asian by heritage, was accosted at a coffee shop by youths who called out "Paki bitch, go home!"

Woman of Courage/Woman of Colour is a story of a woman caught between her South Asian traditions and the values of the Canadian society into which she was born.

For example, she was in an arranged marriage for 12 years, but is in a common law relationship now. As well, Ms. Rateja is an amateur boxer who recently went to Afghanistan and performed for the Canadian troops in Kandahar; arguably the most heated combat zone in the Afghan conflict.

In essence, there are facets of her life that clash with the mores of her parents, as Ms. Rateja is certain some of her opinions will contrast with those of her own children.

"I'm proud of my South Asian traditions," she says, "but there are things I don't agree with, and I have the right to agree or disagree. That's what being a Canadian's about. It's about being in a country where I can pick and choose."

As for her decision to be a book in the living library, "I'm empowering, educating and building relationships." The living library was "about selfdiscovery and discovery of others."

The event was staged by the library in conjunction with the County of Dufferin, Georgian College and Dufferin Child and Family Services.

Brandy Robinson, who played a large role in its organization, said she was "thrilled" with the response. "I didn't think we would have the 7 o'clock (the first halfhour) session filled."

Added Ms. Weir: "We hope this will be the first of many happening on a yearly basis."