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“All books are divisible into two classes, the books of the hour, and the books of all time.” – John Ruskin
28th April 2008
I am currently involved in supervising staff as they undergo a course called Frontline, developed by Opening the Book The course encourages staff to engage with readers (you!) more proactively and to think more about others' – and their own - reading choices and preferences.
Don't be too worried, therefore, if you are approached by a library staff member and grilled on whether you prefer to read in the bath or in bed – I may be partly to blame.
However, if they aren't actually doing Frontline, it may be a librarian's subtle method of ascertaining whether or not you are a suitable date.
I mean, would you begin a romantic liaison with someone who turned the corners on book pages to mark their place?
…or with someone who allowed bath steam to warp and curl pages?
…or (heaven forefend!) with someone who was a spine-breaker?
What are your book vandalising nightmares?
Or maybe we ‘book-lovers' all just get a grip – after all, books are just another replaceable commodity and we shouldn't treat the latest Richard and Judy like it is an illuminated manuscript.
(But if we start treating illuminated manuscripts like the latest Richard and Judy, we know we're in trouble!)
David H.
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Comments
30th April 2008
I'm lucky enough to have a whole room dedicated to my books at home... OK, I'm exaggerating because it's more of a broom cupboard than a library, but it's where me and my husband lovingly store all our books (in alphabetical order by author surname of course!)
Looking across the shelves you can easily see which ones belong to my neat and ordered husband, compared to mine which have folded over corners, broken spines, biscuit crumbs between the pages and tea stains on the covers.
But do I love my books any less than my husband who visibly flinches everytime I fold over a page or use it as a coaster? No way - they have just become a part of me and reflect some of my (messy, chaotic, disordered) life!
I enjoy the look and feel of a brand new book as much as the next person, but at the end of the day a book has to be enjoyed and not treated like a fragile ornament.
I do, of course, take much more care of the books I borrow from the library ;o)
Maria
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