Within the great libraries of the land, one can find tomes both ancient and modern, those of great knowledge and those of great literature, books of both history and legend. The greatest library of all was said to be in the halls of Alessandria, in the Golden Age that once blessed the land. In its time, its Library was the undisputed centre of learning to which sages travelled from far and wide to study and to share their wisdom. But when the halls of Alessandria closed, the forest ancients took their writings with them, preventing their accumulated knowledge falling to the evil that was to come.
In modern times, the principal libraries are those of the great cities. Mercinae boasts the Silver Tree Library, one of the oldest still standing. It can be found at the junction of Candle Street and Alchemist's Walk, in the southwestern quarter. In Parrius, the grand Public Library towers proud to the east of Hellespont Square. In Silverfalls, the public library is west from the public chambers on the third floor of the council tower - westward from the "North of the Silverfalls square" location. The Thakrian library stands on the banks of the Moonstone lake, in the old eastern quarter of the city - east from the Square of the First Emperor for a while, and then northwest to stand outside its doors.
The librarians of Avalon hold great responsibility in the operation of the libraries. See HELP LIBRARIANS to discover who these are. Some libraries are small affairs while others are rather more grand, sprawling buildings and you must seek out the specific chamber wherein the librarian can be found if you wish to BORROW or RETURN books; or STACKS - the commands described as follows:
STACKS [<start>] To review the library's catalogue, to peruse its book stacks.
BORROW <book> To take a book out on loan. Two Avalon days is standard.
RETURN <book> To return a book once you have read it.
For librarians:
RECALL <book> Dispatch one of your deputies to track down a book.
INSTACKS <books> Deposits a book permanently into the stacks.
