The Magic of Libraries

One of the challenges inherent in this monumental task we have undertaken is the relative obscurity of the authors who have won the prize. For those of us who have chosen to delve into the history of the award it makes it difficult for us to find the early works. They are mostly available through academic sources and also, because of that, ridiculously expensive. Plus many of the texts are used for language study which makes it difficult to find texts in English.

Which brings us to The Library.

The library has always been one of my favorite places, a magical storehouse of knowledge that I can access for FREE! But lately when I go I've been getting mostly movies and an occasional book or CD. I might walk by the information desk on my way to the non-fiction stacks or talk to them if the checkout computer isn't working. I have certainly not been making full use of the library's services. Until now.

In my quest to not pay a hundred dollars to read the next installment of Nobel winners I turned to the library. The St. Paul Public library has saved me in the past with Happy Boy; they had it in their basement and I was able to check it out. The Great Galeoto and Mireio presented a larger problem. The St. Paul library did not have them in their collection, and I happened to know that the copies owned by the Minneapolis Public library were checked out. What to do? I searched the University of Minnesota Library and there they both were, in English and on Campus. Fabulous! Except I do not have borrowing privileges at the U of MN libraries and the person in my house who used to does not anymore either. Hmmm....

I decided to go out on a limb and see if I could get them through inter-library loan. I stepped up to the information desk and sheepishly said "Um...yeah...um...can you..." And voila 5 minutes and 4 days later one of them is in my hand! Magic!!

I love the library.

A photo of Echegaray: Winner 1904