Library of Abderaliana

The Great Library of Abderaliana is the largest collection of recorded material in the world. Benefiting from a history spanning nearly nineteen-thousand years, the Great Library maintains a vast collection on every subject and discipline and constantly adds to it due to its policy of only admitting visitors who bring new materials to the collection.
The Librarians of the Great Library are a hardened, dedicated, and knowledgeable group of public servants. In deference to these qualities, and to their relative isolation, broader Abderalianan society gives Librarians much respect and social clout. Like a priest of the Bahamutian temples, a Librarian is a confidant, and you are safe in the knowledge that any secrets given to them will only be added to the vast and un-explorable depths of the Great Library complex.
The Great Library inhabits a square complex on the north end of Saraoth's Square in Abderaliana's Old Town, near to the Emir's Castle and the Ministers' Hall. Just within the complex's gates are a tavern for guests and researchers, a dormitory building for the Librarians, and a wide sunlit courtyard. The main building of the Library sits just three stories high and is a squat square building made of light pink stone carved with intricate designs on its corners. Spacial magic in all of the buildings extend their capacity exponentially and the main library building contains at least 30 floors at last count. As documents are added and catalogued more floors are added to the building and it is known within the organization that individual Librarians are occasionally requisitioned to help power this extreme magic with hours or days of their lives. Librarians who have been compelled to comment on this process describe it as painless, vaguely comfortable, and at worse leaving them a bit stiff in the neck.

Structure

Great Library of Abderaliana Ranks: Master Librarian (White): Shamera al-Ahktar

• Deputy Librarian (Scarlet): Architect, Archives, Defenses, Exchequer, Stacks.

First Deputy Librarian (Carmine)

• Second Deputy Librarian (Crimson)

• Third Deputy Librarian (Rose)

Associate Librarian (True Yellow): Subject matters.

• First Associate Librarian (Goldenrod)

• Second Associate Librarian (Amber)

• Third Associate Librarian (Lemon)

Managing Librarian (Kelly Green):

• Secondary Managing Librarian (Forest Green)

• Tertiary Managing Librarian (Mint Green)

Librarian (True Blue): Actual librarians wandering stacks, checking out people, etc.

• Assistant Librarian (Navy Blue)

• Second Assistant Librarian (Sky Blue)

• Third Assistant Librarian (Turquoise)

• Fourth Assistant Librarian (Periwinkle)

Librarian-in-Training (Royal Purple)

• Subordinate Librarian-in-Training (Eggplant Purple)

• Lesser Librarian-in-Training (Lavender)

• Junior Librarian-in-Training (Violet)

Culture

The Great Library tends to be very competitive internally. There are limited numbers of higher positions and large number of lower applicants. It is difficult to be fired from the Library for less than criminal activity so any sufficiently high position can constitute a life-long steady wage and social prominence. Few outside the Library are aware of the internal machinations and politics. Visitors typically only deal with Librarians-in-Training as research guides or Reclamation/Acquisition Specialists, and at most they may speak to a Librarian proper. Interaction with the outside world does not come until one is at the Associate Librarian level or higher as more important matters are brought to their attention.

Public Agenda

The mission statement of the Great Library is to, "Acquire and Preserve All Known Knowledge, Commentary, Prophesy, Speculation, or Public Opinion for the benefit of All, and the Eternal Reflection of our Offspring. And to protect the most Dangerous and Inflammatory of that Knowledge from Those who would wish Us Harm.", also known as the Creed, or the Preamble.

Assets

The Great Library has the largest collection of printed material in the entire world. It contains vast resources from the oldest documented evidence of intelligent life, to a daily subscription to newspapers from every major publication in the world.

History

The Library was originally built to house the personal documents of Emir Shalazar I (7498-7472b). His son Emir Shalazar II (7472-7430b) expanded its mission to store all important national documents and by 82a the Great Library housed enough documents that it instituted a policy that only those bringing new materials could be admitted to its contents. Since then it has made it its mission to acquire at least one copy of every piece of printed material ever created. Due to the relative political stability of Xoshoyjan, even the most secretive societies and persons have felt the urge to deposit their works in the Great Library.

Indawo Enye, Lonke Ulwazi

Founding Date

7486b

Type

Educational, Library

Location

Great Library of Abderaliana