The Library as Place: History, Community, and Culture

by John Buschman (Editor), Gloria J. Leckie (Editor)

Libraries, as a component of cultural space, are ubiquitous to almost every society during almost every time period. However, as places of cultural and symbolic and intellectual meaning, they have varied greatly. To capture both aspects, this collection of 14 original papers covers library spaces old and new, real and imagined, large and small, public and private. Contributions range from a consideration of the Garrison library in the British Empire, to the Carnegie library as a social institution, to the imagined library in Buffy the Vampire Slayer. The result is a fascinating look at the library as a physical, social, and intellectual place within the hearts and minds of its clientele and the public at large.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Librarianship, Library Science

Paperback

First published December 30, 2006

Reviews

[Meagan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is not for the casual reader, but its insights into the role of the physical library in the past and future will be very interesting to librarians, library students, or serious library fans. My personal favorite essay covers the role of the library in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, although the article on British Military Libraries was also quite fascinating. I'd recommend it to most "library people."

[Kathryn Michaels · Rating 2 out of 5]

My interest peaked with the buffy chapter.

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some very interesting articles and studies.