In the Circulating Library (A Short Story)

In the Circulating Library

Author's Note: This was written for an anthology of short stories with the prompt of a librarian who travels through time and space, being the ideal librarian of any time period. (I thought of it similar to The Doctor, from Doctor Who.) This was my entry, but sadly, it was not accepted. Enjoy and let me know what you think!

~*~

1818, Cheltenham

The tiny bell above the door chimed its merry little tune as the door swung open. With a smile, I turned from where I was placing the latest pamphlet on the counter.

"Good morning. May I help you?"

A young lady approached with her gloved hands clasped together tightly. She looked almost...worried. Oh, dear. That was never a look I wanted to see on a patron's face. Well, I was here to help in any way I could.

"I don't know," she admitted. She unclasped her hands to run them over the front of her blue walking dress. "I'm not even sure what I'm looking for."

"Well, we have the latest novels," I informed her, gesturing to the small shelf where I displayed said volumes. I'd made sure to purchase both Persuasion and Northanger Abbey since the previous clerk had neglected to do so in December and January.

Unlike the libraries that would operate a hundred years in the future, there were no bookshelves to explore. The books available were listed in a pamphlet the patrons would examine, and once they made their selection, I would step to the back in order to locate it in my stacks.

To my surprise, she shook her head, her brown curls bouncing against her cheeks. "Oh, no. I'm not much of a reader."

How strange! A non-reader coming into the circulating library? I did my best to hide my curiosity by not leaning forward too much as I asked, "Is there something specific you're looking for?"

"I'm—" she continued and then paused. She glanced around and then leaned forward. In a lowered voice, she said, "Well, I've gotten myself into a bit of a tangle. Do you have anything on steam engines?"

Steam engines? Though I was fond of visiting this era because of the advancements in science and literature, very few people were in search of scientific information while on holiday in a seaside town. Inventors and scientists usually found their books and papers in the universities. Otherwise, they may borrow what they need from their colleagues.

But I was not about to discourage a young lady from expanding her mind. "I will have to check our catalog," I told her honestly. I moved to the counter where I kept my satchel. "Why don't you see what else we have available while I take a look?"

She heaved a sigh and then turned to the display I had been setting up. I kept my eye on her as I searched my satchel for the catalog. There was no sign of interest in any of the titles, not even a flicker of curiosity.

The catalog informed me that there was currently no volume on steam engines in the circulating library, but that one had been published recently. It would take some time to place an order with the bookseller and have it delivered. Would there be time for that? Was the young lady a resident of the sea town, or simply a visitor?

Just as libraries a hundred years in the future would do, a circulating library would usually stock the books that the patrons wanted. Libraries in the future had systems where books could be shared between them. In the Regency era, however, the only books available were the ones in the building.

With regret, I returned to her. "I'm sorry, Miss. We do not have any books on the subject. There is one I can order, but I cannot guarantee it will arrive soon."