The Romance of Libraries

Maybe it is the dimples in the bindings. Perhaps it is the strong and brooding air of the dictionary stand. Whatever it is, the library is a surprisingly romantic place in which people fall in love with each other, with books, and even with the building. Lefebvre (university librarian, Saint Mary's University, Halifax) offers here her collection of stories from a variety of people who understand the transformative and emotive power of libraries, from the study date in the mysterious and multi-layered settings of the stacks and the catalogues, the attractions of academic libraries and reading rooms wherein people deeply committed to their subject find others of like minds, the work and love that become combined amongst student library assistants, the special tingle of the bookmobile, the curious dating service also known as intralibrary loan, and the opportunities for ecstasy found in conferences and library schools. Annotation ©2006 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Madeleine Lefebvre is the University Librarian of Saint Mary's University in Halifax, Nova Scotia. She also currently serves as Chief Administrator of Freedom of Information/Protection of Privacy and is the recipient of the 2006 Atlantic Provinces Library Association Merit Award.