Question 1: We’re visiting the George Peabody Library in …
A Baltimore
B Seattle
C Des Moines
The George Peabody Library in Baltimore, part of Johns Hopkins University, is famous for its stunning interior with five tiers of ornamental cast-iron balconies and a 61-foot-high skylight. Established in 1878, it houses over 300,000 volumes. It was founded by philanthropist George Peabody to benefit Baltimore’s citizens. The institution remains a non-circulating library open to the public, continuing Peabody’s vision of a library ‘for the free use of all persons who desire to consult it.’
Correct Answer: Baltimore
Question 2: Where’s the oldest continuously operating library in the world?
A Morocco
B England
C China
Located in Fez, Morocco, the ornate library was founded in 859 as part of the University of Al-Qarawiyyin, which is itself the oldest continuously operating institution of higher education in the world. Its founder was Fatima al-Fihri, the daughter of a rich Tunisian immigrant, who vowed to spend her inheritance on a madrasa and library for her community. Accessible only to scholars for many years, the library was recently restored and reopened its doors to the public in 2016.
Correct Answer: Morocco
Question 3: Which librarian has her own action figure?
A Donna Leon
B Nancy Pearl
C Margaret Atwood
The Nancy Pearl action figure raises its hand and shushes you when a button is pushed on its back. Pearl is a renowned American librarian, literary critic, and author, best known for her book recommendations and the ‘Book Lust’ series. She gained fame in Seattle for her ‘If All Seattle Read the Same Book’ project, which encouraged community-wide reading. Pearl has also been a regular commentator on public radio and was named Librarian of the Year by Library Journal in 2011.
Correct Answer: Nancy Pearl