The Library Book by Susan Orlean

 

Susan Orlean has written a fascinating history of the Los Angles Public Library system.  The book uses an incident in 1986 when the biggest library fire in United States history occurred to serve as the focus.  The fire and its damage is extensively described along with the restoration efforts and the costs to restore the central library as a functioning organization.  There was a main suspect and she covers the investigation as well.

But outside of the fire, the LA library is a fascinating organization and Orlean covers those topics.  Readers learn about the origin of the library and the various head librarians that served over the years as the library grew and changed.  The myriad ways that libraries dissimilate information are explored as well as the services that libraries offer now.  The issues that libraries face such as the large homeless population that uses its services are covered.  Working conditions for library staff is a large issue that Orlean covers, along with the male/female ratio of librarians.  Library services in the electronic age are extensively covered.  She grew up with library trips with her mother being their favorite activity and her love of the library and all it offers is clear.

This book has garnered much praise.  It was a New York Times Notable Book in 2018 and a Washington Post Top 10 Book of the Year.  It was a pick of the Reese Witherspoon Book Club.  Orlean has been a staff writer at The New Yorker for many years and her books, which have been highly reviewed, are nonfictions on topics that catch her interest.  This book is recommended for nonfiction readers and anyone who has ever enjoyed a trip to their local library.