Comments on: The Most Exciting Library

Question: The Most Exciting Library

tmcw — Mon, 05 Feb 2007 21:34:33 -0800

ChildhoodMemoryFilter... I keep remembering a Laserdisc movie from way back that included a library, the dewey decimal system, and a force field...

I can't remember much more, but I think it was the last library on earth or something of that sort, and it had a spherical force field around it, as well as something underground. I was absolutely taken by whatever this educational film was, but I can't find it even with the most fervent Googling. Any ideas? This is an educational film, almost definitely on LaserDisc, played in New Jersey around 1991? to teach kids about libraries.

By: kelegraph

kelegraph — Mon, 05 Feb 2007 21:48:26 -0800

i am so excited to see your question. i have been looking for the same movie for several years now. i saw it in my sixth grade library class in ohio in 1991.

in my recollection, there was some element of apocalypse to the storyline. i have also been completely stumped by googling.

i think the version i saw was on videotape.

By: kzin602

kzin602 — Mon, 05 Feb 2007 21:57:48 -0800

"The users" is all that comes to mind. I don't know why tho.

By: amyms

amyms — Mon, 05 Feb 2007 22:13:17 -0800

Was it The Pagemaster?

By: brina

brina — Mon, 05 Feb 2007 22:18:09 -0800

I have been wondering about this movie for several years myself. I do remember an apocalyptic element. Was there not also a bookmobile that was prominently featured?

(Google does nothing for me, either.)

By: brina

brina — Mon, 05 Feb 2007 22:24:41 -0800

Ah! I found it. Tomes and Talismans. See also.

By: hortense

hortense — Mon, 05 Feb 2007 22:26:55 -0800

Conan the Librarian isn't it then.

By: tmcw

tmcw — Mon, 05 Feb 2007 22:27:54 -0800

kelegraph & kzin602: word. "The Users" definitely had a role.

Amyms - I'm fairly certain it was live action.

By: inigo2

inigo2 — Tue, 06 Feb 2007 06:39:15 -0800

HOLY CRAP. I think this is a movie I've been wondering about for YEARS. I couldn't even ask it here, because the few details I could remember, I thought I might've made up in my head.

I heart you, metafilter.

By: tmcw

tmcw — Tue, 06 Feb 2007 08:11:51 -0800

Ha, amazing to see that other people actually remember it. Too bad it's out-of-print and originally cost a few hundred bucks :)

By: mbd1mbd1

mbd1mbd1 — Tue, 06 Feb 2007 08:41:21 -0800

Oh my god. I too saw that creepy serial in 7th grade (ca 1990-91) and we made a lot of fun of the "butt wipers." Trust me, it was hilarious to 7th graders...and all those library skills we were supposed to be learning became irrelevant the minute we discovered Prodigy and AOL.

What I most remember about that library is taking a week long standardized test in there - one where they were testing minimum requirements, not the regular aptitude tests. Each section was given one hour to finish it, but I would get it done in 15 minutes, and have the rest of the time to read. I discovered and read the entire Hitchiker series by Douglas Adams that week. Good times.

By: inigo2

inigo2 — Tue, 06 Feb 2007 13:58:11 -0800

So....anyone know where to find it online at all?

By: HSWilson

HSWilson — Tue, 06 Feb 2007 23:43:03 -0800

According to this website you can get it by sending $48.00 to Mississippi Public Broadcasting, Attention: Millard O'Baner, 3825 Ridgewood Road, Jackson, MS 39211. I haven't done this, so I can't vouch for it. I've also been wondering about this for years, and would love to see it again.