The library book

Resource Information

The work The library book represents a distinct intellectual or artistic creation found in Gleason Public Library (Carlisle). This resource is a combination of several types including: Work, Language Material, Books.

Label

The library book

Statement of responsibility

Susan Orlean

Creator

• Orlean, Susan

Author

• Orlean, Susan

Subject

• HISTORY / Social History
• HISTORY / United States / 20th Century
• Library buildings -- Fires and fire prevention -- California | Los Angeles
• Arson -- California | Los Angeles -- History -- 20th century
• Los Angeles Public Library, Central Library -- History
• Public libraries -- California | Los Angeles -- History
• Los Angeles Public Library, Central Library -- Fire, 1986
• Fires -- California | Los Angeles

Language

eng

Summary

Weaving her life-long love of books and reading with the fascinating history of libraries and the sometimes-eccentric characters who run them, award-winning journalist and New York Times bestselling author Susan Orlean presents a mesmerizing and uniquely compelling story as only she can. With her signature wit, insight, compassion, and talent for deep research, she investigates the legendary Los Angeles Public Library fire to showcase the larger, crucial role that libraries play in our lives. To truly understand what happens behind the stacks, Orlean visits the different departments of the LAPL, encountering an engaging cast of employees and patrons and experiencing alongside them the victories and struggles they face in today’s climate. She also delves into the evolution of libraries across the country and around the world, from a metropolitan charitable initiative to a cornerstone of national identity. She reflects on her childhood experiences in libraries; studies arson and the long history of library fires; attempts to burn a copy of a book herself; and she re-examines the case of Harry Peak, the blond-haired actor long suspected of setting fire to the library over thirty years ago. Along the way, she reveals how these buildings provide much more than just books—and that they are needed now more than ever

Cataloging source

YDX

Dewey number

973

Illustrations

illustrations

Index

no index present

LC call number

• E
• Z733.L8742

LC item number

O75 2018

Literary form

non fiction

Nature of contents

bibliography