Yuriba Free Library

OOC Notes

Please note that, for the purposes of RP, any article on the wiki that relates to Yuriba's culture and history (as opposed to specific inhabitants) can be assumed to be available in some form in the library, whether as an article, a part of a book, or otherwise. Actually finding it, however, is another matter.

The Yuriba Free Library is a modest three story structure located slightly to the south of the Village Center on White Lily Road. The building dates to December 2002, and in the years since its construction, management has taken the idea of ivy-covered halls of learning seriously, with various attempts to plant ivy on its brick exterior walls. Aside from the usual book lending services of any library, it offers space for research and study, as well as the restoration of older books. There is also a decent supply of periodicals, though they will tend to be several months out of date at best. Books are free to borrow, and while there are no hard limits on number of books to check out at any time, or when they should be returned, it's assumed that any such borrowing will be for a reasonable duration, so as to allow others to access materials as necessary.

Maintained by Fujiko, the library is open to all, with no membership cards necessary. Visitors should, however, be at least passingly familiar with the NDC system, as it is now the classification system of choice for the library, replacing the Library of Congress system of previous years. Those unfamiliar will find placards denoting major categories of interest. For the most part, an attempt has been made to place those subjects of interest on the main floor, with more seldom used categories upstairs. The basement boasts one of the larger collection of books on magic and the paranormal on the island, though the library staff will freely admit that separating the genuine articles from those books written by crackpots and lunatics is the work of years; thus, any source should be treated with skepticism until a scholarly review can be conducted. Overall, the collections cover a fairly wide scope on both local topics (some of these only lightly researched) and the occasional book which leaks in from elsewhere. While not a substitute for the much closer library at Rinkei Gakuen, many students in the higher grade levels find more to choose from for their more in depth subjects at the Free Library rather than at the school.

Following the various events of the spring, a number of renovations and additions were made, and the library reopened in April 2012. Additions at this time included an increased dependence upon natural light, an added floor, expanded librarian's quarters, a small rooftop cupola, and of course more reading spaces. Most notable, perhaps, is the backyard of the library. Tucked safely away behind the building are both conventional flower gardens as well as a small vegetable plot, and a grassy lawn. Also, a small pond fed from the nearby Yuriba River sits between the two, which in winter freezes, safely supporting the weight of three or more women for ice skating.

As of March 2013, other library staffers include Nisa, Blue, Vivian, Raichel, and Neiko.