Off to the library

The university library could do with a proper catalogue. Yes, Theodor realizes that the books he most often needs a catalogue for are books that the library does not, on record, have. But he also realizes that signifies little as to whether the library actually has them, and wishes there were a reliable way to know the difference between not-there-on-record and not-there-in-fact. A second, encrypted catalogue, perhaps, in a secret room ... Is there such a room? He is half-tempted to search for it -- or create it.

Truthfully, Theodor can never regret time spent in the library; hemmed in by books, he feels most at home, and here the shelves loom like pillars to the ceiling of an ancient ruin, or the very walls of Alexandria where papyrus scrolls were kept. The place of the cure of the soul might be written at the heights, and Theodor feels most at home at heights. He could take any book and a perch to read it on, and lose an afternoon.

There is a particular book, however, and he stalks through shelved-off halls as though in silent pursuit of some beast.

[open post.]