and always smelled the same, that not!dust of books and binding glue, unique and common to libraries and bookshops.

I love that smell, so much. It immediately takes me back to the basement of my college library, where I spent a couple of semesters pulling books for a cataloging project. Did you know, the smell *is* mainly dust? It's the scent of decomposing paper.

The librarian ruled with an iron fist, and looking back, I suspect she knew she was sanctuary. 8-)

I can pretty much guarantee that she did. :)

Lovely memories, thank you!