The Library Book by Susan Orlean ~ my review

 With the central theme of carefully researched facts about the disastrous April 29, 1986, fire at the Los Angeles Public Library, Susan Orlean presents colorful, eclectic stories about that library’s history and libraries in general. At the time, news of the fire went largely unnoticed, eclipsed by news of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, which had happened just three days before. Orlean writes The Library Book as homage to libraries everywhere.

 

The curious thread of the arson investigation kept me intrigued, as if reading a mystery novel. Complicating the inquiry and trial was the only provable fact: Harry Peak, the alleged arsonist, was a pathological liar. Orlean’s interviews with Peak’s family, friends, colleagues, fire department officials, and library workers on duty the day of the fire are fascinating.

 

Orlean includes details of the cleanup and emotions felt by some library staff. One librarian, Jill Crane, wrote a poem that began: “We held charred and watersoaked chunks of books in our hands. History, imagination, knowledge crumbling in our fingers. We packed what was left.”

 

A number of Orlean’s library-related rabbit trails touched me, but none so much as the timeless importance of books. I could read pages 92 and 93 again and again. She speaks tenderly of the love-of-libraries connection she had with her mother whose dementia now prevents her from sharing those memories with her daughter. Books can set bleakness and chaos in order and harmony. We take our memories with us when we die—unless they are written down. “In Senegal, the polite expression for saying someone died is to say his or her library has burned.” Because of books, “You know that you are a part of a larger story that has shape and purpose …”

 

Orlean’s other rabbit trails include history of Carnegie libraries, gender bias in library administration, and the office politics victories of flamboyant Charles Lummis at the turn of the century. The Library Book also includes interesting tidbits about the wide, surprising range of patrons’ reference-desk questions, and librarians’ duties, including refereeing chess and checkers games.