An ode to libraries
Libraries have always had a special place in my heart (I’m sitting in one right now). They’ve never been just a collection of books for me but rather places with a unique atmosphere and character, where each visit offers enriching experiences and a sense of adventure. Stuart Kells, in his book The Library: A Catalogue of Wonders, writes: “Much more than accumulation of books, the best libraries are hotspots and organs of civilization; magical places in which students, scholars, philanthropists, artists, pranksters, and flirts come together and make something marvelous”. It’s easy, however, to take for granted all of the services and amenities they provide on a daily basis. We can quickly realize this when reading what libraries should not be, as Umberto Eco depicts so vividly in his 1981 lecture entitled De Bibliotheca.
State Central Library, Cubbon Park, Bangalore, India
Eco describes a library as a nightmare for readers, or more accurately, an anti-library, with a set of peculiar rules. Below are some of my favorite (translated from the Polish edition by Adam Szymanowski):
Catalogs should contain as many sections as possible; one must very carefully separate the catalog of books from the catalog of journals, as well as books recently acquired from books acquired in the past. Whenever possible, the spelling in both of these catalogs (new and old acquisitions) should be different.
Topics should be defined by the librarian. Books should not have a hint in the colophon as to the subject under which they must be cataloged.
The catalog numbers should be impossible to rewrite, possibly extended, so that the person who fills in the reverse would never have enough space to enter the last symbols.
There should be a very long time between ordering and delivering a book.
The library should discourage people from reading several books at the same time, as this can lead to strabismus.
If possible, there should be no photocopiers at all; if one is found, access to it should be very time-consuming and troublesome.
The librarian should consider the reader an enemy and a potential thief.
The information department should be unavailable.
Interlibrary loans should be impossible, or at least last for months.
The opening hours should strictly correspond to the working hours; the library should be completely closed on weekends, as well as in the evenings and during meal times.
There should be no toilets.
Library of Congress, Washington, DC, USA
When I consider how many days I spent in the university library throughout my university days solely, this list is truly terrifying. Libraries are generous, allowing people to enjoy books, stories, and ideas instead of hoarding them. Always an appreciator, going to my local library will certainly take on a whole new meaning for me.
