Books Quote by Catherynne M. Valente
““A silent Library is a sad Library. A Library without patrons on whom to pile books and tales and knowing and magazines full of up-to-the-minute politickal fashions and atlases and plays in pentameter! A Library should be full of exclamations! Shouts of delight and horror as the wonders of the world are discovered or the lies of the heavens are uncovered or the wild adventures of devil-knows-who sent romping out of the pages. A Library should be full of now-just-a-minutes and that-can't-be-rights and scientifick folk running skelter to prove somebody wrong. It should positively vibrate with laughing at comedies and sobbing at tragedies, it should echo with gasps as decent ladies glimpse indecent things and indecent ladies stumble upon secret and scandalous decencies! A Library should not shush ; it should roar !””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Lost Book of the White House by Catherynne M. Valente, 2017
A library thrives when it is noisy, lively, and full of engaged readers who react emotionally to stories.
In simple terms: Libraries need active, emotional participation.
Key Takeaway
Encourage patrons to speak, laugh, and react.
Themes
community
engagement
emotion
literature
participation
Mood
joyful
energetic
reflective
Type
exhortational
inspirational
When to use this quote
- book clubs
- school visits
- public readings
- community events
Key Concepts
public sphere
collective experience
affective response
Questions to Reflect On
- How can libraries balance quiet study with vibrant activity?
- What spaces foster both contemplation and exuberance?
A Different Perspective
Noise can disturb those seeking quiet study.
