Do you have fond memories of going to the local library? Are you a proud library card-carrying member? Do you love books, not just for the reading experience, but for the books themselves? If so, this book is for you. Susan Orlean (Orchid Thief) shares her love of books and libraries and wraps it around a momentous day in Los Angeles history.
I had limited experience with libraries growing up. I remember visiting my local branch in the L.A. suburbs, but it wasn’t a big part of my childhood. I used the library most in my life during college primarily as a study space. As a Los Angeles native, I’m a little ashamed that I have never visited the historic Central Library downtown.
On April 29, 1986 a massive fire engulfed the Central Library destroying or damaging over one million books. This event is the centerpiece of the book and allows the author to fan out and explore related topics: the history of libraries generally, and the L.A. Central Library particularly, the people and services that make up the library, fire prevention and firefighting, and the investigation into the cause of the fire.
The story of the Central Library is rife with dedicated librarians and entertaining characters throughout its history to the present day. Mary Jones was one of several women formative in the early development of the library. She graduated from a library school and assumed the head position in 1900. Following her in 1905 was Charles Lummis whose blustering showmanship made him one of the library’s most colorful figures. The author talks to current library workers across all of its eight departments. These discussions highlight the awesome scope of the library services, such as shipping 32,000 books a day from Central to the branch libraries.
Did you know that the Central Library contains a large collection of restaurant menus, road maps, and sheet music? More fun facts are shared, particularly questions from the public received by the information and reference staff. The number and variety of calls is mindboggling. Lots of questions about history, geography, obituaries, and Hollywood stars. And then the oddball ones…”Which is more evil, grasshoppers or crickets?”, “How do you say the necktie is in the bathtub in Swedish?”, and patrons asking for help in signing a baby shower card or inscribing their father’s tombstone. It makes you realize that many people don’t have Internet access or capability and that the library serves as their world wide web.
The fire is described from the morning of the fateful day, to the emergency response, the challenges of the firefight, the recovery efforts, and the arson investigation. Volunteers played a huge role in the logistics of storing the damaged, wet books in a warehouse at super-cold temperatures where they remained for two years before being thawed, dried, cleaned, repaired, and rebound.
Arson is suspected from the beginning of the investigation and Harry Peak is the prime suspect. The author tracks the case through the public records and talks to Fire Department personnel and Peak’s family. This part of the book is intriguing and Harry Peak adds some flavor. He is an attention-seeking delusional “actor;” numerous alibis and a different story every time authorities spoke to him.
You could make the argument that Susan Orlean takes on too much and as a result scatters the storyline. It does jump around in time and subject. I appreciated the bigger picture of the story and was interested in the history, inner workings of a library, and the investigation. Also, I enjoyed the setting of my hometown maybe more than folks would who grew up in other parts of the country. The fire at the L.A. Central Library is a great hub to express the author’s love of books and the libraries that hold them. “The library doesn’t belong to me, but feels like it is mine.” “All the things that are wrong in the world seem conquered by a library’s simple unspoken promise: Here I am, please tell me your story; here is my story, please listen.” That’s what carries the day.
I envy the large bookshelves that so many have shared behind their faces on TV during the pandemic. I too have my copy of Grant, A Team of Rivals, and Hamilton along with many more historical novels, classic and modern literature, and cool rock and roll books. In my small house, however, books are stacked high and wide overflowing what little shelving I have. I keep buying new books with nowhere to put them (except the garage). While, I’ll never give up buying books, I need to give up the ownership mode for all my reading. I have a book exchange with a friend that helps. For the first time, I even read a few books on my iPAD recently. But the answer to my dilemma is staring me in the face. I’m going to join the local library. It will save me some money, space, and help support a local community resource. If a book spurs one to action, that’s a good thing. Thanks to The Library Book.
D² Rating ◼◼◼◼☐