You can borrow pretty much anything from libraries these days — books, magazines, toys. Even humans.

Key points: 'Human books' originated in Denmark to counter stereotypes and discrimination

'Human books' originated in Denmark to counter stereotypes and discrimination The State Library is trialling monthly sessions until April 2020

The State Library is trialling monthly sessions until April 2020 If it catches on, the State Library could run the scheme more regularly

The State Library of Queensland is trialling a program in Brisbane where you can check out a "human book".

Once a month, library visitors will be able to borrow a real person with a unique story to share.

Among them is Shelly Moreton, a proud Yugerra Goenpul woman who wanted to share her story of growing up Indigenous in Brisbane.

She was raised by her grandparents in the Aboriginal settlement at One Mile, near Dunwich, on North Stradbroke Island.

"I've had many homes, many houses in different places and different states, but One Mile will always be my home," she said.

"When I go home, it's like the birds and the trees, they welcome you ... I can see it in the spirit of the place, it's like the trees are waving to me and welcoming me home, and the chaos of life is left behind."

Ms Moreton hopes to share her story when she is "checked out" of the library.

"I thought this was a good idea and a way for ordinary people like me to tell their stories and connect with others," she said.

"I'd like to share a part of my life and to raise awareness about Indigenous culture and the Indigenous history of Brisbane and Stradbroke.

Anne Zafer's family lived in a sprawling Queenslander on the banks of the Brisbane River on the site of the Queensland Art Gallery. ( Supplied: State Library of Queensland )

"Hopefully people who borrow me from the library will gain some awareness and walk away with some understanding about my life ... and hopefully say 'that was a good book'," she said.

Anne Zafer also grew up in Brisbane, but her childhood was vastly different.

Ms Zafer's grandparents were one of the earliest Greek families to arrive in the city after migrating from Kythera in the early 1900s.

The Freeleagus family lived in a sprawling colonial Queenslander on the banks of the Brisbane River, on the site where the Queensland Art Gallery is today.

"I want to share my connection with this part of the world and tell the story of one of the longstanding early Greek families in Brisbane," she said.

Shelly Moreton was raised in an Aboriginal settlement on North Stradbroke Island. ( Supplied: State Library of Queensland )

"I also want to hear a little bit of the story of people who choose to come and chat to me because it's not just about my experience.

"I think it will be rather fun for people to know what South Brisbane was like before these enormous buildings (the Cultural Centre precinct) were here on the river bank."

The Freeleagus home was resumed by the State Government in 1972 for the development of the Queensland Art Gallery.

"I remember a lot of happy times in that house," Ms Zafer said.

"My grandmother lived there for more than 50 years and died not long after it was resumed.

"Whenever I go to the Art Gallery I remember by grandmother's beautiful garden, it's hard not to stand there, thinking of the old days.

"We are very proud to have been one of the first Greek families in Brisbane and I'm always happy to talk about my family — I'm really excited to see how this develops."

State Library director of community connections Lone Keast said the human book program takes a different approach to traditional library borrowing.

"You take out a book, just like you do in an old fashioned library, but the book is a person," she said.

"The reading is the conversation that happens between the two people."

The idea was first trialled in Denmark almost 20 years ago.

"The human books are from groups in society that have been stereotyped, misunderstood and discriminated against ... it's really about trying to create more understanding," Ms Keast said.

Anne Zafer's grandparents were one of the first Greek families to emigrate to Brisbane. ( Supplied: State Library of Queensland )

She said human books were selected for the stories that would most resonate with the community and are linked to the library's exhibitions program.

Ms Keast said there are monthly 20-minute "human book" sessions up until April 2020 and she hopes it will become a regular feature.

"We like the idea, because we like stories at the State Library and we are a safe place for conversations that can be hard," she said.

But she insisted the normal late fees still apply.

"You can't not return your human book ... you can't keep it forever."