BOOKS: Library At Night

State Library, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

"These evil white scabs" says Argentine writer and bibliophile Alberto Manguel, referring to the price stickers affixed to books. In a marvelous book about books, “ The Library At Night, “ Manguel explores the magic of books and libraries. To some books are a comforting factor, a connection to a wider world and the opening of vistas that can’t even be imagined until the pages of a book are dipped into, read, felt, even smelled. Some people are like that, just slightly off when it comes to books, it’s a, “gentile madness,” as Nicholas Basbanes calls it. Alberto Manguel is like that, “gently mad” about books and libraries and it shows in this book of contemplation and observation. “Library At Night,” as a whole is kind of a plea for the appreciation of the printed word in an age of digital information. Books have served us well and Manguel sets out to show us why and to stir the emotions and memories of anyone who loves books and libraries. He celebrates the joy and the solace of being a reader and has created a justification for those with an inexorable desire to collect books, order them and create a library. The inspiration for “Library At Night lies in the process of creating his own library in Loire, France. Manguel says: “Libraries have always seemed to me pleasantly mad places, and for as long as I can remember I’ve been seduced by their labyrinthine logic.” He covers just about every aspect about books and libraries, ho hum, you say__ not so, this is a well-written work with something interesting on each page. The book is a patchwork of meditations, which include: musings on the great libraries of the world, the history of libraries, anecdotes about his own personal library as well as those of Charles Dickens, Jorge Luis Borges, and the story of the struggles to maintain the freedom of thought. Other topics include: libraries of banned books, the imaginary library of Count Dracula and the library of books never written. Each chapter begins with: "The Library As...." a "Power," "Myth," "Shadow," "Chance," etc. “Library At Night” can be used as a source book as it contains many photos and extensive notes that can inspire you to read further. This is one man’s journey and his love affair with books. If you are inclined to suffer from the same “gentle madness” as Manguel you will appreciate his love of books and his life long journey to build a library. If you are book crazy read this book.