theme day: library

The other day I started thinking what books have I read that feature libraries or libraries. I'm sure there have been a good deal but I could only remember adult reads where the centrality of the library has stuck with me over the years. One is Umberto Eco's fantastic historical mystery The Name of the Rose, it's been a really long time since I read this book, but I remember being swept away by it's labyrinthine plot which centers primarily on events in a labyrinthine medieval library. The book was later adapted to film - I recall liking the film but like most adaptions of books to film it was not nearly as compelling as the book. The film could have actually sucked, but I would have liked it anyway as it starred Sean Connery, and I've always had a soft spot for Sir Sean. I'm sure this has to do with having watched this as a wee lass.

Another adult book that has stuck with me over the course of many, many years is Gillian Bradshaw's The Beacon of Alexandria. Ironically (or coincidentally) I read this book around the same time I read The Name of the Rose - obviously in the mid to late 1980s I was into historical fiction concerning libraries. I'm sure I've read other (adult) books that have highlighted libraries and librarians, but at the moment only these two come to mind.

There is a relatively new book that is out about a cat that lived in an Iowa library for many years. Apparently the cat transforms and saves the town and the library. The book is Dewey: The Small Town Library Cat it was written by Vicky Myron. I remember hearing an interview on NPR with Myron, who is the librarian who discovered Dewey in the book drop one cold winter day. The story is fascinating and sounds really heart-warming, one of these days I will have to see if there's a copy at the library available.

Does anyone know other (adult) books set in libraries or that feature librarians?

There are quite a few books for children that feature libraries and librarians. On Tuesday I ran across The Boy Who Was Raised by Librarians written by Carla Morris and illustrated by Brad Sneed (is Brad any relation to Merle??).

This book is a charming story about a curious boy named Melvin who spends a great deal of time at his public library and Melvin's relationship with Marge, Betty, and Leeola, who are three of the coolest, most helpful librarians one would ever hope to run across. The book is a beautiful tribute to librarians.



Another delightful children's book which takes place in a library is Library Mouse by Daniel Kirk. The hero of this book is Sam, very intelligent and gifted mouse who happens to live in hole behind a wall in the children's department of a public library. Sam is the epitome of a bookmouse and spends all his waking hours reading the books in the library. One day Sam gets the idea that perhaps along with reading books he should try and write and illustrate a book about about his life. And one night does just that and writes his memoir Squeak! Although Sam doesn't intend to write for anyone but himself, one day a child discovers Sam's book - and after this happens.... well, you'll have to find a copy of the Library Mouse yourself and see how it ends.