Santa Monica, Calif. ? You know those people you can read just like a book?

Well, today you will be able to borrow one of them when this city turns its main library into a “Living Library.”

Fourteen “living books” will be on hand in this trendy, liberal city, representing an encyclopedia of knowledge on such subjects as nudism, Buddhism and foodism. That’s because one of them is a real, live nudist, two are Buddhists and another is a vegan.

Library visitors will be allowed to check out any of the 14 people for up to 30 minutes. The hope is that library patrons will learn something about the culture and beliefs of other people, erasing stereotypes in the process.

“A personal conversation breaks down barriers and connects two strangers who might not otherwise have the opportunity to speak to each other,” said Rachel Foyt, an administrative analyst at the Santa Monica Public Library.

Want to know what it’s like to be homeless? There will be a couple of folks who can speak volumes about it. What are celebrities really like? Ask the celebrity publicist. What are Oaxacan-Americans like? Ask the person whose roots are in the Mexican state of Oaxaca (wah-HAH-ka).

This being a library, the talking books will have to do their talking outside in the courtyard, or in study rooms, so they won’t disturb readers.

People who can’t finish in 30 minutes may book another session if no one else has placed a hold on the person. Patrons who return their living book late won’t be fined, but Foyt said the library may revoke the souvenir T-shirt they get for taking part.

The idea was thought up by a group of young people in Copenhagen, Denmark, in the 1990s after one of their friends was stabbed during a night out. Since then, Living Libraries have brought people of different backgrounds together in numerous countries.

“Everyone wants to know if the nudist will be wearing clothes,” Foyt said with a laugh. (Sorry, yes, he will be.)

There won’t be any bra-burning by the feminist, either. That went out in the 1970s, said Lindsey Horvath, the 26-year-old president of the Hollywood chapter of the National Organization for Women. But Horvath said she is surprised at how many people still cling to that image.

“Something I frequently encounter is that people feel that we’re of a previous generation,” she said. “Or we’re really angry or not part of the mainstream culture or we all hate men. I couldn’t be more different than that. I’m originally a Midwest American. My family’s Catholic and I taught catechism at my church.”

Library officials are issuing a set of rules borrowers must agree to:

“The reader must return the book in the same mental and physical condition as borrowed. It is forbidden to cause damage to the book, tear out or bend pages, get food or drink spilled over the book or hurt her or his dignity in any other way.”