In an era of ‘alternative facts,’ truth-seekers are searching for answers in classic dystopian novels and seemingly prophetic science-fiction tales; including the works of Aldous Huxley, George Orwell, Margaret Atwood, and Ray Bradbury, among others. Orwell’s 1984 is number one on the Amazon bestseller list, and sales of the classic book have increased almost 10,000 percent since the inauguration. Using literature as a balm to soothe the troubled mind is nothing new—according to ancient Greek history, there was an inscription at the entrance to the library at Thebes which read, “healing place to the soul.” Whether it’s an attempt to strategize or just a form of escapism, Boston Public Library president David Leonard says books (and libraries) are more important than ever in our current political climate.
“Boston Public Library really takes its inspiration from ‘Free To All’— that was inscribed on the front of the McKim building when that was opened in 1892, and we’ve re-echoed that in the other spaces as we’ve renovated,” Leonard said. “From our point of view, that really is as important right now in 2017 as it was in 1848 when we were chartered and in 1892 when we opened. We really want to join the conversation now...and ensure that everybody feels welcome here and across all of our systems and locations and online, that’s really part of what our presence in this conversation can be.”
According to Leonard, about 75 percent of the BPL’s copies of 1984 were checked out in the week after the inauguration, about 45 copies in addition to the 150 holds placed currently for the e-book version. “What we’re seeing is an interest in these types of commentaries on society, whether they’re the George Orwell side of the spectrum of people looking to Ayn Rand’s work to understand exactly what’s going on,” Leonard said. “In addition to simply re-stating our commitment to being welcoming and open and free to all, we have a role to play in the dialogue piece of the equation, because unless we can understand what is at the root of this divisiveness, we won’t be able to move forward.”
To hear David Leonard’s full interview with Boston Public Radio, click on the audio link above.
