It’s no surprise that librarians and library workers rule on Jeopardy! With their research skills and proximity to information daily, it’s hard to think of better contestants. And one more is set to test their skills and knowledge on the popular game show.
In case you haven’t heard, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom will be released globally on Nintendo Switch this Friday. Named the “Most Anticipated Game” at the 2022 Game Awards, the open-world adventure game is a sequel to the highly successful The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild released in 2017.
Since the release of the first Zelda game in 1986, players have followed the series’ protagonist Link as he adventures to rescue Princess Zelda and save the kingdom of Hyrule from an array of villains and monsters. From complex puzzles to Link’s versatile arsenal of weapons and tools to familiar locations throughout Hyrule, the games often feature recurring items and places to rediscover between iterations. And that goes for libraries, too!
Just like in real life, libraries serve as essential places to complete main or side quests in the Zelda series. In one game, Link even becomes a kind of temporary librarian himself. Ahead of the release of Tears of the Kingdom, we’re diving into the past to explore some of the Zelda libraries and their critical role in helping Link save Hyrule.
Nestled on a hill just south of Kakariko Village in A Link to the Past, the library-known as the House of Books-is unmistakable with its large and ornate symbol of a book and quill above its door. Atop one of the library’s six large bookcases sits a copy of the Book of Mudora, a collection and translation guide of ancient Hylian script and lore. The book, at first inaccessible, is essential for Link to advance in his quest to save Hyrule from the evil wizard Agahnim.
Link stands outside of the library in The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past. Screenshot by Chase Ollis/Nintendo.
After Link obtains the Pegasus Shoes and gains the ability to dash, he can ram into the bookcase to make the book fall to the floor and within reach. (Don’t try this at your local library!) With the Book of Mudora in hand, Link can enter the temple in the Desert of Mystery to obtain the Pendant of Wisdom, one of three pendants required to obtain the legendary Master Sword-the ultimate weapon of the Zelda franchise.
As they say, knowledge is power!
In Link’s Awakening, the player follows Link to a very different place on a very different adventure-simply to wake up. To do this, he must defeat the nightmares throughout Koholint Island and eventually use a collection of musical instruments to wake the giant sleeping Wind Fish found inside a colossal egg at the top of a mountain. It’s a harrowing task, and nearly impossible without the help of the Village Library!
The library lies southwest of the quaint Mabe Village, on the way to the island’s southern coast. Like many buildings on the island, the library is fairly small and nondescript on the outside. Two young boys throw a ball back and forth just outside its door as butterflies flutter around. But inside, there’s plenty to explore.
Link inside the Village Library in The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening. Screenshot by Chase Ollis/Nintendo.
Several reference books rest on tables throughout the room. Many of these books detail basic gameplay functions: how to defend with your shield; use a warp hole to travel across the island; and assign items from your inventory. There’s also an atlas that shows a complete map of the island. But two other books are where the good stuff is.
After finding a magnifying lens inside a cave, Link is able to read the tiny print in Dark Secrets and Mysteries of Koholint, which contains unique directions for navigating the labyrinth within the Wind Fish’s egg. Without these directions, which vary between individual games, Link would wander aimlessly inside the ever-repeating corridors of the egg, possibly forever.
In the 1998 Game Boy Color rerelease of Link’s Awakening, a new book appears atop the library’s back shelves. Once again ramming into the shelves with the Pegasus Boots (again, don’t try this at your local library!), Link can read this book, which tells how to access the bonus Color Dungeon beneath the island’s graveyard. If Link completes this dungeon, he’s rewarded with a major boost of power and a fashionable new tunic.
In Oracle of Ages, Link must travel across time to save the Land of Labrynna and rescue Nayru, the Oracle of Ages, from the evil sorceress Veran. His quest brings him to Jabu-Jabu, a massive whale-like creature whose belly serves as one of the game’s dungeons. Unfortunately, filthy seawater has made Jabu-Jabu gravely ill, and Link is tasked to research the cause of the filthy seawater and find a way to cleanse it. What better place to conduct research than the local library!
The library on Eyeglass Isle in The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages. Via Zelda Wiki/Nintendo.
In both the past and the present, the ancient library on Eyeglass Isle is bustling with patrons. This is somewhat surprising, since it’s locked from the outside! After receiving the key, Link can enter the library, where he learns of the Fairy Queen who has been cursed by Veran, causing the filthy seawater. Traveling back and forth through time, Link can obtain the Book of Seals in the back room of the library in the past and use it to find fairy powder to lift the curse in the present, thus cleansing the sea and allowing Link to enter Jabu-Jabu’s belly.
Oracle of Ages is directly linked in plot to another game, Oracle of Seasons. In that game, Link will encounter the ghost of a former library worker, who will reveal a secret known only by the librarians of Eyeglass Isle Library. Back in Oracle of Ages, if Link tells the secret to the old man in the back room of the library, Link will receive the Mirror Shield, a powerful defensive weapon. Library secrets are the best secrets!
Navigating the world can be challenging at times, but what if you were the size of a thumb? That’s Link’s experience in The Minish Cap. In this game, our hero’s journey leads him to seek help from the Minish-tiny creatures that find joy in helping people and are only visible to children-so he can defeat the evil sorcerer Vaati. With the help of a Minish sage that he wears on his head like a cap, Link must frequently shrink to Minish size to complete numerous required quests, one of which brings him to the Royal Hyrule Library.
Link climbs up the spine of a book in the Royal Hyrule Library in The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap. Screenshot by Chase Ollis / Nintendo.
To advance in the story, Link must meet Librari, a Minish elder who lives among the library’s books on the second floor along with several other Minish. There’s only one problem: A few books are overdue and missing from the shelf, meaning there’s no way for Link to reach Librari. Our hero (and temporary volunteer librarian) must recover the overdue books from various locations around Hyrule.
After retrieving the books and returning them to the library’s circulation staff, the books are reshelved, and Link can climb them to meet Librari and ultimately obtain a pair of flippers. These flippers allow Link to swim in deep water and gain entrance to the Temple of Droplets in Lake Hylia. Completing this dungeon and finding the water element inside are essential for Link to craft the Four Sword-the weapon needed to defeat Vaati.
In the award-winning open world masterpiece Breath of the Wild, the land of Hyrule has been devastated by the Great Calamity, a cataclysmic event brought on by Calamity Ganon-a primal evil that has terrorized Hyrule throughout its history. Although Ganon was sealed inside Hyrule Castle by Princess Zelda, Link must defeat him before Ganon regains full strength and breaks free. Link’s quest takes him across a vast land to recruit powerful allies before venturing inside the malice-covered castle and its monster-infested library.
Part of the Hyrule Castle Library’s roof has collapsed after the Great Calamity in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Screenshot by Chase Ollis/Nintendo.
In another time, the library would be a wonder to behold. Giant stone columns and arches, enormous bookcases, and elegant reading tables and pedestals adorn the space. But following the Great Calamity, the library has fallen into disrepair and monsters roam both of its floors. (If only they were there to read!) Malice-a poisonous substance found throughout Hyrule that is the embodiment of Ganon-covers large areas of the floor and walls, and portions of the staircases and roof have crumbled. But beyond monsters and malice, the castle library is also filled with treasures, mysteries, and discoveries.
Players can explore several secret passageways behind the library’s bookcases leading to curious areas, including an excavation site outside of the observatory walls filled with treasure and powerful weapons; the King’s Study, where Link can learn more about Zelda’s background and the history of the Great Calamity; and the dock, a critical location under the castle that allows for quick passage.
Link charges the Master Sword for battle in the Hyrule Castle Library in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Screenshot by Chase Ollis/Nintendo.
The library also holds two specific books that contain important recipes for the Royal Family of Hyrule, including Fruitcake and Monster Cake (which is actually a reference to a villain in another Zelda game). Finding these recipes allows Link to help Gotter, a stablehand and descendant of the castle’s appointed chef, to taste his ancestor’s food.
Perhaps most exciting about this game’s library, though, is its cataloging system. Books are organized by floor and then alphabetically by book title (in Hylian script, of course). One of the cookbooks is found on a reading pedestal across from a bookcase with titles that start with “C.” It’s a small detail in such an expansive game, but one that makes the spirit of the library-organization, access, and retrieval of information-truly come to life.
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom will be released Friday, May 12, 2023, and we’re hoping more library adventures come with it!
Feature photo: Link stands ready to battle in the Hyrule Castle Library in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Screenshot by Chase Ollis/Nintendo.
The American Library Association (ALA) is giving an honorary lifetime membership to Dolly Parton! The award-winning singer-songwriter, actress, businesswoman, and philanthropist is receiving the honor for her longstanding support and commitment to inspiring a love of books and reading. Honorary membership is the highest honor given by ALA and conferred upon a living person whose outstanding contributions have made a lasting impact on librarianship, libraries, and the communities they serve.
“ALA is proud to bestow this well-deserving honor upon Dolly Parton in recognition of her accomplishments in the world of libraries, learning and literacy,” said ALA President Lessa Kanani’opua Pelayo-Lozada. “Her Imagination Library initiative, which was inspired by her father’s inability to read or write, was launched to foster an early love of reading and learning in her hometown of Sevier County, Tennessee. Today this high-quality, book-gifting program reaches millions of children in five countries and is a shining example of her commitment to early childhood literacy and ensuring access to books for all children, which speaks to the core values of our organization.”
Parton’s Imagination Library mails free, high-quality, age-appropriate books to children from birth until age five-no matter their family’s income. In 2022, one out of 10 children under the age of five in the U.S. received an Imagination Library book from Parton each month. That’s more than 2 million books delivered each month! Parton considers the initiative to be one of her greatest achievements.
ALA will officially confer the honorary membership upon Parton this June during its Annual Conference & Exhibition in Chicago.
In addition to the honorary membership, Parton has also joined ALA’s Celebrity READ® Campaign! In the new poster, Parton holds the picture books The Little Engine That Could and The Very Hungry Caterpillar. The poster is available now at the ALA Store.
Knock, knock.
Who’s there?
National Humor Month.
National Humor Month who?
National Humor Month is NOW!
Yes, we know: That was a horrible, terrible, very unfunny joke, but we’re just so excited for National Humor Month, observed every April. Founded in 1976 by Larry Wilde, author and director of the Carmel Institute of Humor, National Humor Month was conceived to heighten public awareness of the therapeutic value of humor. To commemorate this unique celebration, our friends at American Libraries have published a fascinating roundup of stats about all-things-funny, with libraries at the forefront.
Here are a few favorites:
Looking for more comedy collections? Libraries across the world have you covered.
LC has a fascinating array of comedy-related materials from the world of entertainment in its collection, from a rare recording of African American musician George W. Johnson’s 1896 work, “The Laughing Song,” in the library’s National Recording Registry to the personal collections of Groucho Marx, Danny Kaye, Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, Sid Caesar, Johnny Carson, Milton Berle, and Jerry Lewis. This article from Library of Congress Magazine is a great place to start if you want to explore LC’s offerings. And don’t forget their books!
The British Film Institute (BFI) holds one of the largest collections of written material about film, television, and the moving image in the world, so it’s no surprise that it has an extensive collection of materials devoted to comedy: movie scripts, publications, reviews, and more. We particularly love their selection of books about cinema’s funniest performers, from Peter Sellers and Bill Murray to Madeline Kahn.
And if you’re looking for some immediate laughs, you can’t go wrong with these clips!
Photo: Sid Caesar and Imogene Coca on set in 1952, from the Library of Congress.
We’re massive fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe at I Love Libraries, particularly Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. It’s truly masterful, charting how Wakanda mourns the loss of King T’Challa, aka Black Panther (the late Chadwik Boseman), while Queen Ramonda (Angela Bassett), Shuri (Letitia Wright), M’Baku (Winston Duke), Okoye (Danai Gurira), and the Dora Milaje fight to protect their nation from intervening world powers.
To prepare ourselves in the four years since the release of the first Black Panther film, we turned to libraries to find books, graphic novels, and more that provided fascinating deep dives into the world of Wakanda. We found New York Public Library’s list of Black Panther resources and Chicago Public Library’s round-up of Black Panther-related materials especially helpful, with books for fans of all ages. And Jacksonville (Fla.) Public Library’s online feature on Afrofuturism and Black Panther is essential reading.
In celebration of the recent home video release of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (now available on digital, 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, and DVD), I Love Libraries is excited to offer our readers a chance to win a copy of the film to add to their collections. Simply send an email to pmorehart@ala.org with the subject line “Black Panther,” and we’ll choose 10 lucky winners at random to win the film on Blu-Ray and 10 winners for a digital code card for the film. Please specify which format you prefer in the email. The deadline for entry is Wednesday, February 22 at 1 p.m. Central time.
Good luck!
Learn more about all of the radical ways that libraries use comic books at the American Library Association’s Graphic Novels and Comics Round Table!
How cool is this?
Representative Robert Garcia (D-Calif.) was sworn in to Congress earlier this month on the Constitution, with a copy of the first Superman comic-on loan from the Library of Congress (LC)-tucked underneath (along with a photo of the Peru-born lawmaker’s parents and his citizenship certificate).
Garcia is a lifelong Superman fan. “I became a Superman fan as a kid because I related to him. An immigrant, a sense of justice, and a secret identity,” he tweeted in 2021. His office has said that Garcia learned to read and write English via the famed superhero comic.
A week after being sworn in, Garcia joined Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden at LC for a photo opp with the iconic comic book. Superman No. 1, a copy of which recently sold for more than $5 million, is one of hundreds of thousands of comic books housed at LC, which has the largest publicly available collection of comic books in the country, totaling about 146,000 issues.
Garcia isn’t the only member of Congress to use a comic book at the Congressional swearing-in ceremony. Puerto Rico Del. Jenniffer González-Colón (R) requested that a copy of Sensation Comics No. 1, the first comic where Wonder Woman appeared on the cover, be used when she was sworn into office with the 118th Congress.
A spokesperson for González-Colón told The Hill that the representive “grew up admiring Wonder Woman” and that she’s a diehard fan because the superhero “represents the power of women in conflict resolution, in the search for justice, and for her representation of equality.”
Books flying off shelves. Strange sounds emanating from nowhere. Sudden temperature changes in hallways and back rooms. Spectral figures floating through the stacks.
If your library is experiencing any of the above phenomena it just may be haunted! And it won’t be alone. There are many supposedly haunted libraries throughout the United States. It’s not surprising. Libraries are open, welcoming places full of knowledge and warmth-what better place to spend the afterlife!
This Halloween, I Love Libraries is exploring some notorious haunted libraries. If you’re brave, pay them a visit, but please be respectful, of course. Ghosts like happy homes, too!
Willard Library in Evansville, Indiana.
The oldest public library in Indiana, Willard Library is reported to be the most haunted library in the U.S. The Victorian Gothic building is home to the Grey Lady, the ghost of a woman who has been seen throughout the library since the 1930s.
Willard Library has embraced its hauntings, so much so that it set webcams throughout the library to capture ghost sightings. You can watch, too-if you dare.
Two branches of Scottsdale Public Library-the Arabian Library and Mustang Library-are rumored to be haunted. Unexplained voices, random cold spots, and books flying off shelves prompted library staff to bring in paranormal investigators who found evidence of hauntings in both branches. The group recently hosted an event at Mustang Library to discuss their findings.
A nun in a white habit is reported to haunt the library in this school, which was founded in 1899. She apparently appears during freshman orientation-perhaps to welcome new students to her forever home. Students and staff also report sounds from a ghostly piano throughout the school.
Erastus S. Willcox died when he was struck by a streetcar in front of the Peoria (Ill.) Public Library. Photo: Local History and Genealogy Collection/Peoria (Ill.) Public Library
The library in downtown Peoria has a storied history. It’s rumored to sit on cursed ground, which may account for the multiple library directors who’ve met tragic ends. One of which even died outside the library after being hit by a streetcar in 1915. That director, Erastus S. Wilcox, supposedly haunts the library, along with a host of other ghosts. Patrons and library staffers have seen the shadowy figure of a man and a woman in Victorian garb haunting the library, as well as reported strange cold spots that come and go unexpectedly, unexplained sounds, and an overall spooky feeling at night.
American Libraries’ podcast explored the Peoria Public Library hauntings in a past episode, and it’s riveting listening.
Is your library haunted? Tell us all about it! Email pmorehart@ala.org with your haunted library story-it may be featured here at I Love Libraries.
Explore more library haunts with our friends at American Libraries!
Halloween season is upon us. (Finally!) We love this time of the year here at I Love Libraries-the month-long horror-movie marathons, the costume parties, the scary (and often cheesy) haunted houses, sharing ghost stories with friends and family, chowing down on all sorts of candy and treats, and the decorations. Especially the decorations.
Halloween allows everyone to let their spooky selves shine. And the Library of Congress has a plethora of free resources that can be used to add instant chills (and fun) to your Halloween decor, including a fascinating selection of copyright-free posters and images that can be downloaded and hung at home, in the office, or anywhere you want to add some Halloween flavor.
Here are some of our faves!
“October’s bright blue weather. A good time to read!” Poster by Albert M. Bender. Chicago: Illinois WPA Art Project [between 1936 and 1940].
“Do Spirits Return? Houdini Says No-and Proves It. 3 Shows in One: Magic, Illusions, Escapes = Fraud Mediums Exposed.” Theatrical poster. [United States, approximately 1909].
“The Haunted Lane.” Photo by Melander, 1889.
Autumn scene in rural Pomfret, Connecticut. Photo by Carol M. Highsmith, Oct. 2011.
“Halloween Roller Skating Carnival: On the Mall, Central Park. Poster. [New York]: Federal Art Project, 1936.
“Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. The Transformation.” Theatrical poster. Chicago: National Printing & Engraving Co., [1880s].
“Newmann’s Wonderful Spirit Mysteries.” Theatrical poster. Newport, Kentucky: Donaldson Litho. Co., [1911?].
Find more Halloween and Día de Muertos resources, including print materials, photos, movie info, supernatural tales, and music, at the Library of Congress.
Spider-Man is returning to the library!
New York Public Library (NYPL) has partnered with Marvel Entertainment on a brand-new library card design to encourage new and existing patrons to explore all that the library has to offer, featuring classic images from Spider-Man’s first appearance in Amazing Fantasy #15 in 1962.
Collider writes:
“Following the New York Comic-Con, in honor of his 60th anniversary, Spider-Man will be dropping by the New York Public Library on October 11 with a batch of limited-edition Marvel Comics-inspired library cards. Featuring images of the web-slinging hero himself, as well as Miles Morales and Gwen Stacy, the cards also mark a very special one-year anniversary of the NYPL making the historical decision to eliminate library fines. The move was intended as a way to remove barriers to the public’s access to the Library and was memorialized as a special plot point in Marvel Comics’ Amazing Spider-Man #900. Written by Daniel Kibblesmith and illustrated and colored by David Lopez and Nathan Fairbairn, respectively, the comic shows Peter Parker returning a big stack of overdue books to the NYPL after learning about the late-fee elimination.”
Marvel Vice President of Licensed Publishing Sven Larsen said, “With so many of our most iconic moments and characters established in New York City, we’re thrilled to work with The New York Public Library to invite even more people to dive into Marvel and find their own favorites across Spider-Man’s legacy.”
All of us here at I Love Libraries are massive Spider-Man (and comic book) fans, so we’re absolutely loving this news. Supplies are limited, so get yourself to a NYPL location on October 11 to get one of these super cards. The cards will be available across all the NYPL branches, located in the Bronx, Manhattan, and Staten Island. Each library will be hosting a variety of related programs and events, as well as offering reading recommendations curated by staffers throughout the week.
If you’re looking to discover a new comic book adventure, your local library is here to save the day. Many libraries carry a wide array of comics, graphic novels, and manga for readers of all ages. Learn more about comic book and graphic novel programming and offerings at your library!
Photo courtesy of New York Public Library.
It was history more than 200 years in the making. While performing her Tuesday night set on “The Special Tour” in Washington, D.C., superstar performer and classically trained flautist Lizzo treated fans to a once-in-a-lifetime spectacle: playing a crystal flute owned by former U.S. President James Madison that is currently held by the Library of Congress (LC).
“I just twerked and played James Madison’s crystal flute from the 1800s,” she said onstage to roars of applause. “We just made history tonight! Thank you to the Library of Congress for preserving our history and making history freaking cool. History is freaking cool you guys!”
The possibility of the moment had been teased for days by LC after Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden invited Lizzo to view LC’s flute collection via Twitter.
“@lizzo, we would love for you to come see it and even play a couple when you are in DC next week,” she tweeted on September 23 along with pictures of several flutes in the collection. “Like your song they are ‘Good as hell.'”
“IM COMING CARLA!” Lizzo enthusiastically replied. “AND IM PLAYIN THAT CRYSTAL FLUTE!!!!!”
The crystal flute is part of LC’s collection of more than 1,800 flutes-the largest such collection in the world-and its origin is a mysterious one. It was made by French craftsman Claude Laurent in 1813 and gifted to Madison in honor of his second inauguration as president. On August 24, 1814, just before Washington D.C. was set ablaze by British troops during the War of 1812, First Lady Dolley Madison fled the White House with several valuable artifacts, including an iconic portrait of George Washington. It’s plausible, though unknown, that the flute was one of the items rescued by the first lady.
The flute’s rarity and preciousness can’t be understated. As detailed on LC’s blog,
“[Laurent] patented a leaded glass flute in 1806. Most flutes at the time were made of wood or ivory, but Laurent’s glass invention held its pitch and tone better during changes in temperature and humidity. They were popular for a few decades, but he was almost alone in making them and they faded from popularity after flutes began to be made of metal in the mid-19th century. Today, only 185 of his glass flutes are known to survive, and his crystal flutes are even rarer. LC holds 17 Laurent flutes, by far the largest collection in the world.”
Of LC’s Laurent flutes, only two are made of crystal, and for something so rare, preservation and security are top priority. Ahead of Lizzo’s performance, library curators and security officers worked to ensure the item’s safe handling, including transporting it in a customized protective container.
The fourth U.S. president, James Madison grew up on a plantation that employed slave labor and was the first to suggest what became known as the Three-fifths Compromise, which determined the counting of enslaved persons as 3/5 of a person for taxation and representation in the U.S. House of Representatives. Madison is also credited with the idea of creating a congressional library. That his crystal flute was played by a Black female performer in collaboration with the Librarian of Congress-the first African American and first woman to hold the position-is an ironic and symbolic intersection of fate.
Lizzo’s crystal flute performance in front of thousands of fans brought history to life and is a prime example of how libraries preserve our history and make it available to all.
“It’s about damn time” we got to hear it.
Photo: Lizzo plays one of the flutes in the Library of Congress’s flute vault. Credit: Shawn Miller/Library of Congress.
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