Reading Room
The Hermetic Library Reading Room is an imaginary and speculative future reification of the library in the physical world, a place to experience a cabinet of curiosities offering a confabulation of curation, context and community that engages, archives and encourages a living Western Esoteric Tradition.
When I try to imagine what would take the Hermetic Library into the next decade and beyond, I find myself coming back again and again to the idea of developing what has been an amazing and valuable virtual resource into a real world library. Developing a physical library would not only complement the overall mission of the library but offer an absolutely stunning and staggering array of emergent possibilities, including but certainly not limited to:
- Reference Section — Offering a physical and expanding collection of Hermetic Library books, journals, multimedia and other resources available for use by students and researchers
- Visiting Collections — Featuring temporary, visiting collections of books, arts, crafts and other cultural artifacts
- Esoteric Art Gallery — Showing the work of artists inspired by the Western Esoteric Tradition
- Cultural Series — Presenting public and private events which spread esoteric culture, including book signings and tours, guest lectures, music and dramatic shows, and more
What do you think? Send me an email with comments or questions. If you would like to help contribute to the development of an actual Hermetic Library Reading Room, consider becoming a supporter of the library, or donating materials such as books and other items to help build the physical collection.
Follow related posts on the library blog via Hermetic Library Reading Room
Send email to the Hermetic Library to discuss the Reading Room by getting in contact with the Librarian.
