The Hogwarts librarian

[serenadust]

No: HPFGUIDX 80509

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, Fred Uloth <prof_uloth at h...> 
wrote:


> I wonder if JKR had a *VERY* bad experience with a librarian. In 
SS/PS when 
> Harry is getting the Owl Posts, Harry makes some comment along the 
lines of 
> never getting mail and he didn't have a library card, so he didn't 
even get 
> rude notes from the library. (I don't have my book so I can't 
quote it 
> properly...sorry).


Me (Jo S.)
I had a dim memory of JK saying something concerning her dealings 
with the library, so I checked the interview archives and found the 
following question and answer in the Scholastic Chat - 2000

Did you use the library a lot as a child?

Yes, I loved the library, though I was very bad at returning books 
on time. I once ran up a bill at university of over fifty pounds in 
overdue fines, which was a lot of money to a struggling student. (It 
didn't stop me doing it again though!)


It does seem possible that she could have had an unpleasant 
interlude with a librarian over that fifty pound fine, so perhaps 
she is using Madame Pince to take a gentle jab at librarians in 
general.  I doubt that she has any real ill will toward the 
profession nowadays.

Jo Serenadust