The sender writes:
I had to look up the word "vellichor"--and I work in a library! Is there a word for "the strange wistfulness of libraries?"
If you didn't know--and I certainly didn't before I tripped over this wondrous old word on the internet--vellichor refers to the strange wistfulness of used books or used bookstores. It's tempting to think it might also apply to libraries, which also are full of used books. I find that the feeling in a used bookshop is different than the feeling in a library, even though both are filled with used books. What do you suppose makes the difference?
I had to look up the word "vellichor"--and I work in a library! Is there a word for "the strange wistfulness of libraries?"
If you didn't know--and I certainly didn't before I tripped over this wondrous old word on the internet--vellichor refers to the strange wistfulness of used books or used bookstores. It's tempting to think it might also apply to libraries, which also are full of used books. I find that the feeling in a used bookshop is different than the feeling in a library, even though both are filled with used books. What do you suppose makes the difference?