---
title: "This American Life: The Room of Requirement"
description: Ross Librarian Dale Scott recommends listening to this episode of the long running radio series This American Life to gain a deeper appreciation for just how important libraries really are.
image: https://blog.ross.org/hubfs/This-american-life-tv-logo-1.png
---
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# This American Life: The Room of Requirement
Posted by [Dale Scott](https://blog.ross.org/author/dale-scott)
Apr 08, 2019
We know you love libraries, but Ross Librarian Dale Scott recommends listening to this episode of the long running radio series *This American Life* if you want to gain a deeper appreciation for just how important libraries truly are.
## The Room of Requirement
Public libraries offer their patrons a great deal more than their (already impressive) never-ending supply of books. [This excellent episode from the acclaimed radio show and podcast* This American Life*](http://www.thisamericanlife.org/664/the-room-of-requirement) explores how libraries are "often spaces that transform into what you need them to be: a classroom, a cyber cafe, a place to find answers, a quiet spot to be alone." Here, listeners will find three fascinating segments sharing stories of a library located right on the border between the United States and Canada, a library whose collection solely comprises unpublished manuscripts deposited by their authors (inspired by the library in Richard Brautigan's novel *The Abortion*), and a library that, for six months straight, was a vital haven for a little girl who revisited as an adult. A full transcript of the audio is available, though the podcast notes that the episode "is produced for the ear and designed to be heard." A public radio fixture since 1995, *This American Life* is produced by WBEZ Chicago.
Topics: [Library](https://blog.ross.org/tag/library)
Posted by [Dale Scott](https://blog.ross.org/author/dale-scott)
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