The Magic of The Library at Night

The Magic of The Library at Night Simply walking into the Grande Bibliothèque in  Montreal is a terrifically inspiring experience.  The combination of soaring windows, reading nooks, and six floors to browse through is enough to get anyone excited  about literature. But one of the librarys greatest features is the basement exhibition space that has housed some truly terrific works in recent  years. Their latest undertaking, in celebration of the Grande Bibliothèques 10th anniversary, is called La Bibliothèque, La Nuit or, The Library at Night, and it is sheer magic from beginning to end. Based on an  essay of the same title by Argentinian-Canadian  Alberto Manguel, the exhibit  is brought to life by Robert LePages brilliant production company Ex Machina. You can get a glimpse of their  beautiful work in the trailer (which is absolutely worth a watch, even if you cant make it to the exhibit itself). Beginning in a room modeled on the writers own library, you are treated to excerpts from Manguels lively text, animated by lighting and other effects. Simultaneously spooky and cozy, making you feel like an interloper and an invited guest, this recreated  room perfectly conveys what Manguels essay is all about: that a library is both the deeply personal story of your life, as well as a window onto  the story of the world. Upon exiting the small room through what appears to be a secret passageway, you enter a forest of books. Trees made of texts, leaves of pages swirling overhead and on the ground.  When people say that reading is like stepping into another world, this is that other worlds foyer. Its delightful anteroom. This is what my dreams look like. A series of desks appears in the woods, each equipped with the classic green reading lamp and with a 360-degree video headset. Donning the headset enables you to visit 10 of the most spectacular libraries in creation some real, some imaginary. My personal favorites were the Library of Alexandria, and Captain Nemos library aboard the Nautilus. This is way beyond  clicking through photos of famous libraries on the internet.  Sitting in a swivel chair, you can spin all the way around at your leisure, getting the full view of each room and taking in both everyday goings on and events of historic significance, from the destruction of the  Bosnia-Herzegovinas National and University Library in Sarajevo to a break-dancing troupe practicing outside the  Biblioteca Vasconcelos in Mexico City. It was, without a doubt, the most enchanting literary exhibit Ive ever seen. An intelligent concept executed flawlessly. But most importantly, it captures that special feeling libraries give those of us who love books, and dramatically portrays their transportive power. I highly recommend accompanying your visit with Manguels book, The Library at Night  (2009). Even if you cant make the exhibit, do pick up a copy. It is a moving history of libraries in their many incarnations from a passionate champion of books and reading. The exhibit runs until the 28th of August 2016. Hours are from 12pm-8:30pmon Tuesday through Friday, and 10am-4:30pm on Saturdays and Sundays. (Library closed on Mondays.) Tickets are $5 for members, $10 for non-members. Fees waived from 5pm-8:30 on Tuesdays. Go online or call ahead to reserve tickets! This is absolutely necessary as attendance runs in 30 minute increments and spots are filling up fast! More information and tickets are available at the BAnQs website. Or you can call this number:  514 873-1100.