My purpose today is to celebrate libraries—one the most wonderful institutions ever invented by Western Civilization.
The word ‘library’ is first recorded in English around 1374.
The word came into English from a French source word (behind which is a very similar Late Latin word incorporating the Latin word for book ‘liber.’)
The Oxford English Dictionary defines a ‘library’ as ‘A place set apart to contain books for reading, study, or reference.’
And it goes on to say that ‘library’ does not include the shops of booksellers or the warehouses of publishers but rather is confined to those places where scholars (or us ordinary citizens) can go to consult books.
I raise all this because there is a great library in Melbourne called the ‘State Library of Victoria’ and it appears to be under threat.
The library board is proposing a ‘strategic reorganisation’ that will involve a dramatic cut in staff and services.
Writing in The Australian newspaper author and historian Judith Brett says the plan seems to shift the focus away from books and readers and on to tourism.
Now, I can understand that the State Library of Victoria is a place that any tourist should visit.
My wife and I have done so as tourists—and the massive, soaring central dome is an impressive and beautiful piece of architecture, and a walk around the galleries under this dome is a sheer delight.
But that should not be the focus.
Libraries are there for scholars to do research in, and for ordinary readers to enjoy—not just for tourists to wander through.
So, I hope they abandon their current destructive plans.
Mind you, I have wandered through some of the world’s great libraries as a tourist and thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
I have taken the guided tour through Oxford’s great Bodleian Library and felt myself to be soaking in the centuries.
The Bodleian has a great website (you should Google it) which tells me that: ‘The Bodleian Library is one of the oldest libraries in Europe, and in Britain is second in size only to the British Library. Together, the Bodleian Libraries hold over 13 million printed items. First opened to scholars in 1602, it incorporates an earlier library built by the University in the 15th century to house books donated by Humfrey, Duke of Gloucester.’
And visiting the ‘Duke Humphrey’ library is a highlight of any tour of the Bodleian.
I’ve also been to the New York City Library in the Stephen A. Scharzman Building (that’s the one with the sweeping stone steps guarded by stone lions—featured in the movie Ghostbusters).
But even our local municipal lending libraries are rich and valuable institutions.
Our society would be poorer for their loss.
So, we must protect and defend them.
(I hope the board of the State Library of Victoria is paying attention!)
Tonight, I will join Peta Credlin on Sky News for 'Words Matter.' And tonight, we will discuss the various 'Words of the Year' for 2025 (as chosen by the world's great dictionaries).
TO SIGN UP FOR THE FREE DAILY NEWSLETTER SCROLL FURTHER DOWN THIS PAGE >>>>>>
BOOKS:
* My latest book is Sherlock Holmes: 5-Minute Mysteries -- containing 50 new stories I have written about the great detective. You can find it on Amazon. Just go to Amazon and type in Sherlock Holmes: 5-Minute Mysteries in the search panel. Or use this link: h Amazon.com.au : Sherlock Holmes 5-Minute Mysteries Kel Richards
* My book "Defending the Gospel" is now in a second, fully revised, edition. You can find it here: Defending the Gospel – matthiasmedia.com.au
* If you're looking for my recent book "Flash Jim" you'll find it here -- Flash Jim, The astonis
hing story of the convict fraudster who wrote Australia's first dictionary by Kel Richards | 9781460759769 | Booktopia
* You can find all Kel's books currently in print here -- Booktopia Search Results for 'kel richards'. We sell books, hardback, paperback, audio, CDs.
* And also here -- Amazon.com.au : Kel Richards
* And you'll find more here -- Search: 4 results found for "Kel Richards" – matthiasmedia.com.au
* Many of Kel's out of print books can be found at ABE Books -- Kel Richards - AbeBooks explaining words explain the term
BY THE WAY...
If you'd like to see my A-Z list of Aussie slang, you'll find it here in the Australian Geographic website -- A-Z list of Aussie slang. Here’s the link: The A-Z of Aussie slang - Australian Geographic
The liveliest part of this website is usually the Q and A page -- be sure to check it out from time to time.
