The library and scribes

Lisa Schaffer-Doggett · 11 Jul 2003, 01:48 · from urth-v0307.mbox · original

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From: Lisa Schaffer-Doggett <harlekin at earthlink.net>
Subject: (urth) Re: The library and scribes
Date: Thu, 10 Jul 2003 18:48:33 -0700
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It was written:

  How extensive is the Library again?

My impression is that it contains every book written.  It's meant to be=20
Borges' infinite library.  Probably Father Inire has something to do=20
with it's construction.

>>
>> Doesn't Severian remark to the effect that 'surely the rabble of the
>> city are not permitted here'? I don't recall him receiving an answer,
>> do you?
>>
>> In a society that does not have mechanical printing, where would be
>> the most likely place to find a scriptorium?
>
> Plausible.
>
> But no clue that the Commonwealth _is_ a society without mechanical
> printing.  Ultan and Cyby are Curators not Scrivenors.
>

My  other impression is that the Commonwealth has not seen any new=20
books in a long time.  It is a society in utter stagnation.

Don

--=20

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