the library book by susan orlean summary

Key elements throughout the development of this thread include consideration of how technology has affected the library’s role and function in both positive and negative ways, and how contemporary libraries all over the world (not just in Los Angeles) are struggling with the issue of what to do with, and about, the large numbers of homeless people who make use of the library and its services. There are references to its current chief librarian, to the workings of several departments, and to the participation of various individuals in those departments. The second narrative thread is a portrayal of the library’s contemporary functions, purposes, and departments. Eventually, the author writes, the investigation resulted in no charges, with no answers on its origins, and with no clear indication of Harry Peak’s guilt or innocence. She outlines how the fire progressed, the science associated with both the fire itself and the investigation into its causes, and how that investigation ended up focusing on Harry Peak, an aspiring actor who was seen in and around the library by several different people at different times on the day of the fire, and who confessed to friends that he had set it. The first, recounted in a journalistic, research-based style, is the story of the 1986 fire that virtually destroyed the Los Angeles Central Library. Throughout the book, the author entwines a number of narrative and thematic threads. The narrative is a blend of objective investigation, subjective commentary, and memoir, each chapter beginning with a list of book titles that are relevant to that chapter’s content. The following version of this book was used to create this study guide: Orlean, Susan.

The library book by susan orlean summary