Ephemera of Love in the Library Book
Recently on the CILIPS blog we wrote of the story of library love as inspired by the legacy of Letitia McKell, who left the library where she fell in love with her husband almost £40,000 as a legacy of that love.
As today marks Valentine’s Day on our calendars, we thought it would be the best timing to share some of the library love. Love is all around the library, contained in the shelves, in the newspapers, printed on the cover sleeves is love in paperback or softback form. A platonic love is also cherished here, stories of friendships found through community groups, through book clubs and in many other ways. Stories of families spending quality time together, in a space which can cater to every person in that family.
Do you have a library love story of any shape or form? Then please share it with us on X/Twitter: @CILIPScotland and Instagram @cilip_scotland.
One of the greatest remnants of these love stories is sometimes what’s left between the pages of the library stock and which despite their simple words, hold a whole world of love within them. Librarian Sharon McKeller from Oakland Public Library has created an entire website collection devoted to ephemera found in library books. You can view the full collection here.
Here are some of our favourite finds:
Credit: https://oaklandlibrary.org/content/monty-loves-you/
It wouldn’t be a proper CILIPS Blog about love without mentioning our beloved furry pals, whose love, adoration and loyalty knows absolutely no bounds! I believe with this decree of love, Monty deserves honorary #PetsOfCILIPS status!
This next soul obviously wears their heart on their sleeve and subsequently found their freedom from a broken heart in a library book.
Credit: https://oaklandlibrary.org/content/you-freed-me/
This library user was practicing some self love by writing a fragment all about themselves, adorned in coquette fashion with a little bow.
Credit: https://oaklandlibrary.org/content/all-about-me/
This no doubt once treasured memory of a group of friends in bright colours, smiling and sharing a moment feels like a hidden treasure to have stumbled upon in a library book.
Credit: https://oaklandlibrary.org/content/four-friends/
This one may have been a follow-up from a lover’s tiff… what do you think?
Credit: https://oaklandlibrary.org/content/remember-i-love-u/
This image of a young boy is so bittersweet, love lost is still love and we hope whoever lost this token of love still feels loved:
Credit: https://oaklandlibrary.org/content/i-love-you-because/
This final one is so sweet it would bring a tear to your eye. The purest form of love, a love note shared from parents to their daughter wishing her sweet dreams.
Credit: https://oaklandlibrary.org/content/alisha/
A librarian is one of the few professionals who could come across, organise and upload such a stark, vulnerable and emotive selection of ephemera. These love notes, gestures and drawings have transcended their original meaning and have become a portrayal of the spectrum of human love and emotion. What people choose to rest between the pages of their library books is personal and I think this speaks to the deep emotional trust that people feel in the library.
Whether you’re celebrating today with your friends, partner, loved ones or practicing self care, we hope you have a lovely Valentine’s Day!