Matthew, thank you for this timely and enlightening piece. Libraries have come far since they served the privileged and powerful. Toronto, my home for decades, has built one of the best-used public library systems in the world and offers a huge array of free programs and couses to serve community members of all ages. Through the library, you can learn computer skills, explore the history of the city’s first cemeteries, take a guided nature walk, join a writing group and much more. Low-income people can access free admission to local museums through their branch. For many, the library is their only way to go online. During the pandemic, my branch kept my spirits up by ordering books for me. The staff made collecting my books a special occasion. Can you tell I’m a fan of the Toronto Public Library?
Fascinating review Matthew. I meant to read this when I saw it on your yearly reading plan but haven’t picked it up yet. I definitely will after reading this.
Finding solace in our town's library was a life changer for me as an 8 or 9 year old. The building at the time was nearly 100 years old; waltzing downstairs to the Children's Section in the basement was a magical adventure-quiet, filled with amazing books, a librarian that guided me to the just right books I needed. I can close my eyes and I'm there in a minute.
This sounds like a fascinating record of the truly miraculous place that a library can be. Thank you, Matthew.
Thank you for such a thorough and tender review and reflection of this book and its subject, Matthew. My favorite line is "the library stands as a quiet, stubborn monument to the slow, deliberate accumulation of wisdom." For all the fragility of libraries, and of course how it aligns with our own, I take comfort in this sense of stubbornness, that libraries are so much more than the sum of their parts.
This review made me want to treasure my local library even more. Thank you for highlighting this fragile, vital legacy. I love how they have moved on too and love the Libby app!
Wonderful review. It reminded me of what Alberto Manguel wrote about the cultural impacts of the library, for the better and the worse:
"Symbolically, the ancient world ends with the destruction of the Library at Alexandria; symbolically, the twentieth century ends with the rebuilding of the library at Sarajevo."
The early history of libraries sounds really interesting. I might have passed on this book but now I’m making a note to check it out.
Thanks for the review! I own this book and now realize I need to commit to reading it …
Matthew, thank you for this timely and enlightening piece. Libraries have come far since they served the privileged and powerful. Toronto, my home for decades, has built one of the best-used public library systems in the world and offers a huge array of free programs and couses to serve community members of all ages. Through the library, you can learn computer skills, explore the history of the city’s first cemeteries, take a guided nature walk, join a writing group and much more. Low-income people can access free admission to local museums through their branch. For many, the library is their only way to go online. During the pandemic, my branch kept my spirits up by ordering books for me. The staff made collecting my books a special occasion. Can you tell I’m a fan of the Toronto Public Library?
Fascinating review Matthew. I meant to read this when I saw it on your yearly reading plan but haven’t picked it up yet. I definitely will after reading this.
Finding solace in our town's library was a life changer for me as an 8 or 9 year old. The building at the time was nearly 100 years old; waltzing downstairs to the Children's Section in the basement was a magical adventure-quiet, filled with amazing books, a librarian that guided me to the just right books I needed. I can close my eyes and I'm there in a minute.
This sounds like a fascinating record of the truly miraculous place that a library can be. Thank you, Matthew.
I love that book! So rich. So surprising!
Thank you for such a thorough and tender review and reflection of this book and its subject, Matthew. My favorite line is "the library stands as a quiet, stubborn monument to the slow, deliberate accumulation of wisdom." For all the fragility of libraries, and of course how it aligns with our own, I take comfort in this sense of stubbornness, that libraries are so much more than the sum of their parts.
Thanks Maria.
This review made me want to treasure my local library even more. Thank you for highlighting this fragile, vital legacy. I love how they have moved on too and love the Libby app!
Wonderful review. It reminded me of what Alberto Manguel wrote about the cultural impacts of the library, for the better and the worse:
"Symbolically, the ancient world ends with the destruction of the Library at Alexandria; symbolically, the twentieth century ends with the rebuilding of the library at Sarajevo."