Sir Derek Jacobi: 'There is a particular atmosphere in a library that is unique'

Published: 7 June, 2012
by DAN CARRIER

READERS must fight for their libraries, Sir Derek Jacobi warned last night (Wednesday).

The legendary Belsize Park actor told the New Journal how he believes that libraries encapsulate civility and are a communal store of knowledge.

He is appearing next week at Primrose Hill’s Cecil Sharp House in a special fundraising evening for the newly independent Primrose Hill Library.

Sir Derek said he was happy to support the library, which is no longer under Town Hall control due to council budget cuts.

But he added that he wished the hidden benefits of a council-run library were more widely recognised.

“There is a particular atmosphere in a library that is unique,” he said.

“It engenders concepts of concentration and silence, but it is not just about reading and studying: a good library is at the heart of its community, it is used for all types of activities and meetings, it marks something very special that must be recognised and cherished.

“I can’t remember the house I grew up ever having any books.

“It took until I was a teenager and started bringing them home myself. My parents never read me stories. I relied on trips to the library.”

And Sir Derek said he believes predictions of the demise of books on shelves are premature.

“I have a Kindle but I don’t find myself able to read it for more than five minutes,” he said.

“You just can’t beat a proper book – the smell of the pages, the feeling you get holding it in your hands – that’s irreplaceable.”

• An Evening with Derek Jacobi in conversation with Joan Bakewell will take place on June 13 at 7pm for 7.30pm at Cecil Sharp House, 2 Regent’s Park Road, NW1. Tickets priced at £15 are available from Primrose Hill Books, 134 Regent’s Park Road, NW1 8XL. Tel 0207 586 2022, or visit www.primrosehillbooks.com. Funds raised will go to the Primrose Hill Community Library and entry includes a glass of wine or a soft drink.

• Read a full interview with Sir Derek Jacobi in next week’s New Journal.