Skip to main content
Treasure troves of ideas
Public libraries are sanctuaries which facilitate the exploration of the universe of ideas for free for those curious enough. ROGER McKENZIE advocates their protection against authoritarian incursions, US style
SYMBOLIC: Chetham's Library, Manchester, United Kingdom founded in 1653

MY DEN, my safe space, is the room where I work and/or play jazz music most days.

I have a laptop, my saxophones and guitar in the room but the greatest thing is that I am surrounded by my books. My wife Kate sometimes ribs me about just how many books I do have — I have never counted them. But she sometimes says that I have too many.

I beg to differ. As far as I’m concerned the problem is never that I have too many books. The real issue is a lack of bookshelves!

Donate to the Fighting Fund
Support the Morning Star
You have reached the free limit.
Subscribe to continue reading.
More from this author
Palestinians inspect the remains of a displacement tent hit
World / 18 April 2025
18 April 2025
In this photo released by Agence Kampuchea Press (AKP), Chin
World / 18 April 2025
18 April 2025
Cambodia’s King Norodom Sihamoni, centre right,walks toget
World / 17 April 2025
17 April 2025
Similar stories
RESILIENCE: (Right) Stand Up To Racism protest on October 26
Features / 31 December 2024
31 December 2024
The Morning Star sorts the good eggs from the rotten scoundrels of the year
Features / 19 November 2024
19 November 2024
What was being celebrated as a modern-day Library of Alexandria giving free access to billions of resources, along with the brilliant Wayback machine, is now under attack by corporate publishers, reports JOHN HAWKINS
ARROGANCE AND IGNORANCE: Group of six European men sitting,
Book Review / 24 September 2024
24 September 2024
FRANCOISE VERGES introduces a powerful new book that explores the damage done by colonial theft
Birmingham People's Assembly's Kate Taylor addresses the roo
Features / 28 April 2024
28 April 2024
Morning Star editor BEN CHACKO attends a vibrant meeting bringing together anti-cuts campaigns and local unions to co-ordinate a fightback against the biggest cuts faced by any city in the country