Gems to Discover in a Library

Submitted: 11th March 2026

Gems to Discover in a Library

On a visit to any library, you would think that the books are the main point of interest. Well, they are. However, there were a few things on my recent visit to John Rylands library Manchester that also caught my eye.

Gem 1 – The Door handle which leads to Narnia

John Rylands Library – the door (c)TheBookTrail

This doorhandle. There was something very gothic about this. So mysterious. Imagine turning it and walking into a world not dissimilar to Narnia…

I did try the handle and sadly it was locked. Which just makes me think that the world on the other side is being protected by the librarians….for later…..

Gem 2 – A mini John Rylands IN John Rylands

There’s something very discombobulating as well as magical – about visiting a library and then seeing a miniature of that very library IN that library. It messes with my head for some reason. But it’s also very very cool….

John Rylands Library – books in miniature (c)TheBookTrail

Gem 3 – Does this magical space have a name?

John Rylands Library – books (c)TheBookTrail

You know that space above a book on the shelf? What do you call that? Does it have a name? When you look through it and see books and other things on the other side….does that have a name? In any language? I think it should as the time I spent as a child with my eyes right up on it. I don’t know why this tiny space is so fascinating to me, but it is.

There were more gems to find at John Rylands but I would be here all day. And to be honest I did spend all day in the library when I was there. THAT is the real gem of a library – you get lost inside and lose track of time. A library is a time warp and time capsule.

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