On Libraries by Oliver Sacks Summary and Exercise: Questions & Answers | Class 12 English Notes | NEB
On Libraries by Oliver Sacks
Summary for Class 12 NEB Students
Oliver Sacks (1933–2015) was a British neurologist, bestselling author, and essayist who wrote widely about the human mind, science, and culture. Best known for works like The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat and Awakenings, Sacks combined scientific insight with a deep appreciation for human experience. In his essay On Libraries, he reflects on the personal, cultural, and intellectual value of libraries, presenting them not merely as buildings but as living symbols of learning, memory, and human connection.
On Libraries begins with Sacks describing his own early experiences with libraries, recalling how they opened up worlds of thought and imagination when he was young. To him, libraries were sanctuaries of curiosity, places where knowledge was accessible to everyone regardless of background. He emphasizes that libraries encourage a lifelong love of reading and inquiry, supporting both individual growth and collective cultural memory. Sacks notes the remarkable diversity of works housed in libraries—from science and history to poetry and philosophy—demonstrating how these institutions preserve the breadth of human knowledge across generations.
Beyond personal nostalgia, the essay explores the broader significance of libraries in society. Sacks highlights that libraries serve as democratic spaces where people from all walks of life can learn, think, and interact with ideas without barriers. He argues that in an age of digital information, libraries continue to play a crucial role by fostering deep reading, critical thought, and a sense of community. For Sacks, the presence of libraries in towns and cities is a sign of cultural health and intellectual freedom. The essay concludes with an affirmation that libraries are vital for preserving wisdom, promoting empathy, and enabling individuals to reflect on themselves and the world around them.
Main Themes
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Value of Libraries – libraries as repositories of knowledge and imagination.
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Personal Growth and Learning – how access to diverse reading fosters intellectual development.
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Cultural Memory and Preservation – libraries preserve human thought across time.
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Democracy and Accessibility – libraries as open and inclusive public spaces.
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Deep Reading vs. Digital Information – thoughtful engagement with texts in a digital era.
Glossary
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sanctuary (n.): a safe, peaceful place offering refuge or comfort.
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curiosity (n.): a desire to learn or know more about something.
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inquiry (n.): the act of asking questions or seeking information.
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repository (n.): a place where things are stored and preserved.
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diversity (n.): variety; presence of many different types or ideas.
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democratic (adj.): open and accessible to all people, regardless of status.
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cultural memory (n.): the collective memory of a society preserved through books, art, and traditions.
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critical thought (n.): careful thinking that evaluates ideas and evidence.
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intellectual freedom (n.): the right to seek and receive information without restriction.
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deep reading (n.): thoughtful, reflective reading that goes beyond scanning or skimming.
Before Reading
a. Why do people visit libraries?
Answer: People visit libraries to gain useful knowledge and access a wide range of information.
b. Have you ever borrowed books from the library? If yes, what kinds of books do you like to read?
Answer: Yes, I have borrowed books from the library. I enjoy reading literary books that have long-lasting value.
Understanding the Text
a. Where could the author be found when he was late for lunch or dinner?
Answer: The author could be found in a small lab attached to the oak-paneled library (built by his father) when he was late for meals.
b. What are his first memories?
Answer: The large and beautiful oak-panelled library, along with the books, were the author’s earliest memories.
c. Why did he dislike school?
Answer: Being an active reader accustomed to self-learning, he disliked the passive style of learning in school.
d. What did he feel about the library?
Answer: The author felt free to choose what to read and enjoyed spending time in the library alongside other readers sharing similar interests.
e. Why was he so biased towards sciences, especially astronomy and chemistry?
Answer: Since it was impossible to read all the books in the library, the author focused on his areas of interest, particularly astronomy and chemistry.
f. Why did he become so fascinated by Hook?
Answer: The author was fascinated by Theodore Hook because he was highly admired in the early nineteenth century for his wit, theatrical skills, and musical improvisation. Hook was said to have composed more than 500 operas for amusement.
g. Describe the library at Queen’s College.
Answer: Queen’s College, part of the University of Oxford, England, has a magnificent library building designed by Christopher Wren. It houses ancient books and incunabula.
h. Why did students ignore the bookshelves in the 1990s?
Answer: Students ignored bookshelves in the 1990s because they gained access to computers and digital books, which replaced the need to browse physical collections.
i. Why was he horrified when he visited the library a couple of months ago?
Answer: The author was horrified because most of the shelves, once overflowing with books, were now sparsely occupied. Many books had been discarded or digitized, diminishing the library’s traditional charm.
a. The author says, “I was not a good pupil, but I was a good listener.” Justify it with textual evidence.
Answer:
A good pupil is generally characterized by maintaining good relations with teachers, attending classes regularly, completing assignments, and listening attentively to lectures. However, the author did not follow this conventional approach. He did not prefer merely attending boring lectures given by teachers; instead, he wanted to learn actively rather than passively. He enjoyed reading books of his own choice and valued the joy of self-learning. The author loved sitting at a table in libraries, surrounded by a mountain of books, fully immersed in his studies. Therefore, when he says, “I was not a good pupil, but I was a good listener,” it reflects his preference for active learning and personal engagement with knowledge rather than rote classroom learning.
b. A proverb says, “Nothing is pleasanter than exploring a library.” Does this proverb apply in the essay? Explain.
Answer:
The proverb perfectly applies to the essay. Libraries provide abundant sources of information for any area of interest. Nothing gives as much satisfaction to a book lover as exploring and reading books. Oliver Sacks, the author, was a dedicated bookworm who spent much of his time in different libraries, enjoying the peace and resources they offered. He felt free and inspired in such environments, surrounded by mountains of books. The library allowed him to engage in self-directed learning, exploring topics of his own choice, and experiencing the joy of active reading. Thus, the essay clearly illustrates that exploring a library can be a deeply pleasurable and enriching experience.
Reference Beyond the Text
a. Write an essay on Libraries and Their Uses for Students.
Answer:
A library is a collection of materials, including books and media, that are accessible for use rather than just display. Libraries provide up-to-date information to meet the needs of their users, offering both physical and digital resources. They can be managed by government authorities, educational institutions, or societies to enhance knowledge and support research.
Libraries play a vital role in imparting knowledge. They expand a person’s understanding, develop the habit of reading, and foster a thirst for continuous learning. They provide opportunities for personal growth and are especially valuable for those who cannot afford expensive books and resources.
A library offers a quiet environment conducive to focused reading and study. Education and libraries are closely linked, as libraries support both teaching and learning. Access to a well-maintained library positively impacts students’ academic performance, enabling them to excel regardless of socio-economic background.
Overall, libraries are valuable assets to any community. They promote knowledge, personal development, and societal progress. By encouraging good reading and learning habits, libraries remain essential for the intellectual and cultural growth of students and society as a whole.
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