a reader at the long table reports that a tawny owl has spent six nights at the same shelf, looking at the same book, without disturbance.
the library owl — long thought to be a feature of the building rather than of the species — has been seen on six consecutive nights at the same shelf in the lower reading room. it does not move when the lamp is turned up. it does not move when the lamp is turned down. readers below have learned to whisper.
the volume in question, examined briefly while the owl was elsewhere, is a thin book of marginal characters with no front matter and a list of names at the back, half of them crossed out. the library staff have asked that it not be discussed at length until a proper note can be written.
the custodian, asked whether the owl ought to be encouraged to leave, looked at the questioner for some time and then said that it would leave when it had finished reading. the silence in the room since has been described as companionable. visitors should bring soft shoes.
— continued on page 4 · see the library