What’s Too Hot to Handle?
The horror of books ablaze in a library. That’s what!
Susan Orleans’ The Library Book (2018) is a portmanteau of story, true crime, and riveting journalism
Before the Great Fire of April 1986, the Central Library of Los Angeles looked “like a building a child might assemble out of blocks,” its first architect, Bertram Goodhue of New York.
Loss in the Fire In the Los Angeles library. Over a million books were lost and 700,000 badly damaged; two people were injured. “The biggest library fire in American history had been upstaged by the Chernobyl nuclear meltdown.” (16) Few people, including author Susan Orlean, knew about the fire when it happened.
Crime and Cause of Fire “Investigators believe the majority of library fires are deliberately set.” (106)
Prime suspect in LA library fire: Harry Peak
Harry’s guilt was never proved conclusively though he did fail the lie-detector test. He spent some time in jail as a suspect.
“An arsonist has a ninety-nine percent likelihood of getting away with the crime.” (167)
Recovery from Loss The J. Paul Getty Foundation contributed two million dollars. School kids held bottle and aluminum drives to replace books, garnering tidy sums. Funds came from all over the world.
How Books were Salvaged: “After two years of being frozen, the books were ready to be thawed, dried, fumigated, sorted, cleaned, and repaired.” (261) McDonnell-Douglas, the aerospace manufacturing company, helped with the tedious process.
Sensational Stories about the LA Library, from Susan Orlean’s Pen
- In the early 1900s, librarian Mary Jones refused to give up her job to a man hired to replace her, the swashbuckling Charles Lummis. A Library War ensued. This Book details a lurid conclusion.
- Glen Creason, librarian: Author Orlean, who spent several months interviewing him, devotes a whole chapter to Mr. Creason, the map librarian in the History & Genealogy department[1] at the L. A. Central Library, from 1979-2021. He had, she says, “a scramble of blondish-white hair with unruly bangs, a scrubby beard, and a body like an exclamation point.” (158)
According to Orlean, Glen Creason gave colorful nicknames to some of the patrons in the history/map department: Rubber Man, Stopwatch Man and General Hershey Bar. (158)
- In 1966, the coffeemakers that librarians used . . . were banned from Central Library. The wattage used by coffee-makers . . . was simply too much for the library’s weak wiring.” (211)
- In 1973, the library added a service called the Hoot Owl Telephonic Reference, which connected you to a librarian who could find the answer to almost any question. Dial H-O-O-T-O-W-L!
- Frightening Find! Aguirre, Head of Security at library found a dead man in the religion and philosophy section: “He looked like he didn’t have a dime in the world, but when we patted him down, we found twenty thousand dollars in cash in a piece of folded paper in his pocket.” (243)
How Books get Placed on Library Shelves Every month, more than 700 new books arrive at the LA library. “They are then offloaded, unboxed, stamped, sticker-ed, linked to the electronic catalog system, snugged in a Mylar cover, bar-coded, and, finally, let loose on the shelves.” (85)
Stolen books as Business “In 1981 investigators discovered a woman earning $40,000 per year selling “used” books filched from the LA library, selling from her home in Beverly Hills. (86)
Irony in Early Library History Even though women were not allowed to have library cards, the LA Library hired librarian Mary Foy, who knew the material so well, she could find anything on the shelves in a matter of minutes. (Initially, children could not have library cards either.)
Susan with animal friends
How the Young Susan Orlean Fell in Love with Books
Author’s love affair with books began with her memory of the fresh smell and feel of new books:
- “I loved the fresh alkaline tang of new ink and paper.”
- “I loved the crack of a newly flexed spine, and the way the brand-new pages almost felt damp, as they were wet with creation.”
Watch a YouTube Interview with author Susan Orlean
When I was growing up in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, I knew of two suspicious barn fires. The barns of my father’s cousin, Phares Longenecker, junior, burned down—twice! Folks regarded Farmer Phares as a righteous and thrifty man. His barnyard, immaculate and free of fire hazards. People were stunned; arson was suspected. In fact, someone claimed to see a shadowy figure escaping into the fields after the fire started, but evidence was vague. No one was prosecuted.
YET, as soon as the fires were extinguished, Amish and Mennonite farmers from far and wide descended on the property to rebuild Phares’ barn—twice. Women in the community supplied food to fuel the workers. What an example of brotherly love in action!
Unsplash image – A community pitches in at a barn-raising
Here’s where you can share your own library memories.
How do you acquire books?
A story about barn-raising?
Click on this link to find another story about Susan’s book.
I can’t believe I didn’t know about this fire. I’m glad she wrote a book about it to bring it to light. A great review. Thanks.
Well, Darlene, the author didn’t know about the fire when it occurred, so don’t feel bad. Newspapers, even The New York Times didn’t give it top billing at first. Orlean explains how most of the American public, except the citizens of Los Angeles, were clueless. 😀
I’ve read some of Orlean’s work, but not this one. Sounds interesting, Marian!
I love libraries. I try to find most of my fun reading and bookclub selections at the library. The library I usually go to in our county is moving. I’m eager to visit the new location when it opens in a couple weeks!
You are a life-long learner (a scholar!) so I’m not surprised you know the exact coordinates of your library. Mine is close to my doctor’s office, so it’s easy for me to check out and return books there. Thank you, Merril.
Marian, Enjoyed learning about Libraries.
Diane–wonderful to see you here. Yes, I’m with you–Susan Orlean immerses herself in research and her readers benefit. (I hope to see you Tuesday if you can come to our writers’ social.) 😀
Hi Marian and Cliff,This information was very informative and Thank God that people have such loving open minds and hearts to pour in helping when it’s needed.And there are still alot of good people in this world today willing to still do good deeds.hugs and love Betty
Welcome! I believe you are referring to those that pitched in to re-build and re-stock the LA library–and also build a burned-down barn. Thanks so much! 😀
I have a very recent barn raising story. While we were traveling in New England a month ago, an Amish farmer’s barn burned. By the time we had returned, a few days later, the barn had already been cleaned up and new construction had begun. The scene looked similar to the one you post here, but with fewer men. One week later, the large barn was under roof and within two weeks it was finished. They had to ask people not to drive to the site to gawk. They got in the way.
Charitable gifts don’t always look like large sums of money. You have the perfect illustration of how time and manual labor bless people in need. Thanks so much, Shirley! 😀
I’ve read this book and enjoyed it. Such a thing for a library to burn down. Although I read e-books more now than I did, libraries and books have always been my thing. I was highly insulted when in first grade, I was allowed to check out only 1 book at a time from the school library. and had to wait a week to check out another one. What were they thinking! And, I could only check out 4 books at a time from the town library. I had those books read in 12 hours and had to wait 2 weeks to go back to check out more! Now I can check out as many as I want as often as I want.
Sarah, obviously you are a voracious reader and have history to prove it. The library rules of your childhood sound antiquated. Maybe there were few books on the shelves. Maybe something else? Our city libraries have no limit on check-outs. Often I see patrons leaving with a bag of books–yay!
Thanks! 😀
Wow, Marian! Great post! I don’t have a barn-raising story, but I can share my appreciation for the library. I just checked out some books from my local library. As a kid, I remember going to the library regularly. My parents encouraged reading and so did the librarians. So, I can’t help being horrified at a library fire. What makes me sad these days is people who won’t read books.
I understand your feelings about book reading. These days people can read books on the go: Kindle books, audio-books, and more. You have been a reader all your life. Like you, I check out books all the time. Usually, I put titles on hold, and they are waiting for me on the shelf when I drop by. Thanks, L. Marie! 😀
The book sounds fascinating!! William Faulkner’s “Barn Burning” set me on the path of becoming a writer.
Liz, my jaw dropped at your announcement of the impetus for your career–wow!
I remember teaching “Barn Burning” to students. That white carpet, those manure-laden shoes. I pared the story with a film–Tommy Lee Jones playing Ab Snopes. (The students probably were not as impressed as I.) 😀
I was in the 9th grade, and the story was an assignment. I will never forget the epiphany I experienced in class about that story, It’s the first time I understood what literature was and what it could do. I still feel the same way about literature!
And you prove your point eloquently in The Weight of Snow and Regret, Liz!
Thank you, Marian!
Libraries began my love of books and reading. Libraries are essential for a humanistic civilization. Burning down a book/books/a library is like burning down a cathedral, in my mind. I LOVE libraries and I teach a creative writing class in one that’s about 25 minutes from my house, but my favorite New England library (so far). This library board believes in writers and readers and pay me to teach, and the students don’t have to pay a dime (this is unusual, in most town’s adult ed programs the students pay for the class). Some of my “library students’ come from the library’s affluent town, some come from poor towns. The library doesn’t care who or where they come from, just that they enjoy using their words. That’s a very civilized, humane, and kind action.
I agree–libraries are sacred spaces.
Good on your town for bringing together all sorts in an endeavor to breed understanding and the joy of words. Yes, it is a very civilized, humane, and kind approach. Thanks, Pam! 😀
Beginning school in a little Mennonite village, we didn‘t have a library. We had our beginner reader (in the Gothic script) and our slates. At home I read the Martyrs Mirror from cover to cover and my grandmother in Canada sent me a newspaper for children called “Der Kinderbote.“
When I was nine my family emigrated to Canada and in our small town there was a library. I went every Saturday when my chores were done and borrowed books which I took home and read to my little sisters. It was the highlight of my week!
The little girl who didn’t have a library earned a PhD. That’s quite a story, Elfrieda!
Also, reading to your little sisters seemed to foreshadow your talents as a teacher too. Thank you for this anecdote which I’m sure you told in Ellie’s World. 😀
I’m upset by the disrepect we show as a culture toward libraries and books. I’ve always read a lot and my mom didn’t have time for much, but she had time for trips to the library. I’m focusing on mythology now–and hoping for the safety of the books in the Library of Congress. We don’t need gold shelves. We need safe books to preserve our history. Be well.
I’ve always loved fairy tales which, for me, morphed into a love of myth. Remember Edith Hamilton’s Mythology! Her timeless tales always inspire.
Yes, I believe libraries are sacred spaces and demand preservation. I wish the same for you: Be well Elaine! 😀
The timing of this post is pretty amazing, Marian. After reading a recent post of yours, I used my Libby app to find The Snow Child per your recommendation. Now, I continue to be in a Snow Child frame of mind; it was that extraordinary. I am still thinking of Mabel and Garrett and of course, Faina. I can’t thank you enough for suggesting it.
To answer your question, even when Kindle became available, I preferred to go to the library and go up and down the aisles; pulling my next read from the shelf. I still do that, but now, I sometimes find the book through Libby and send it to my Kindle. I guess you can teach an old dog new tricks, haha. And the only barn-raising I am familiar with are the beautiful scenes in the movie Witness.
Yes, The Snow Child was pretty amazing. I suggested it to my neighbor/walking partner, who read it too. Yes, it’s one of a kind.
And, yes, I too have Kindle, but the format still feels a little bit “foreign” to me. I prefer pages that I can physically turn–and books that surely fall out of my hands when I fall asleep–haha! 😀
One-of-a-kind..that is the perfect description. 😊 And I understand nodding off all too well!
Uh huh, we were are in reading mode, it’s so easy to nod off!
Love your stories and histories, Marian, but when I click ‘like’ it doesn’t take. Has been happening for a long while………..
Jack, thanks for the compliment.
About your “like” problem. You are able to comment here, so you obviously have a strong connection to my blog. Sometimes, when I have trouble on other websites, I switch to a different browser. And, sometimes, when I have too much stored in cache, I run “Onyx,” a system utility maintenance app for my Mac computer.
But, maybe just start with changing to a different browser. Sorry to hear this. I hope you find a way around this problem! 😀
This one sounds like a fascinating read. Whoa! Several of these things I was unaware of. Trying to rationalize irrational behavior is sometimes impossible, but I can’t help wondering why someone would burn down a library. Attention? Anti-education? Taking joy out of others sadness?
I’m aware that people steal books from the library, but it would seem that would be much harder to do with anti-theft measures in place. $40,000 worth of books? I would love to read how that crime was eventually solved?
Susan Orlean is an avid researcher, but sometimes she doesn’t tell the whole story, maybe because the resolution isn’t known. For instance, she reported that a woman was stealing library books and then profiting from selling them. I don’t know how this enterprising thief was discovered, or if she was ever prosecuted.
I googled “traits of an arsonist,” and a disrupted home life was mentioned as a cause, among others. But there are so many factors, including some that dovetail with other pathological behaviors. Thanks for extending the discussion here, Pete! 😀
Good stuff here … I never knew (such as the Los Angeles library’s fire issues). I rarely go to a library anymore, although I love books. I pick most of mine up at Little Libraries along the street or in the credit union we belong too, or at a nearby dump off place for newspapers and other paper products to be recycled. There is a “library” there that also offers canned foods for those needing/wanting them. Things you never knew!! 🙂 Thanks for the post.
Yes, things I never knew about you, Melodie. I know you live in a rural setting, so going to Little Libraries along the street and other venues makes perfect sense. Thanks for adding a different perspective to the conversation here! 😀
I’d never heard about that huge fire. What kind of an awful person burns knowledge. 🥰
Debby, even the author did not know about the fire when it happened; the event was overshadowed by the explosion at Chernobyl. The perpetrator was obviously mentally ill. The book details the suspect’s pathological profile. Very sad!
This is big time fascinating info.
Great review, Marian, thank you!
I like the way you outlined everything, in putting this post together. It’s so clear.
These days I get my books from the library, buy a few ebooks on Kobo (boycotting amazon for 11+ yrs now),and get enough gifts of books to keep me busy.
You abound in books–both in giving and receiving, a very good thing.
I’m glad you enjoyed the post. I like reviewing good books and bringing my distillation to readers here. Thank you, Resa! 😀
You are welcome, Marian!
Books are of great importance to humanity.
Indeed!