Meles Library System

The Meles Library System is a vast network of interconnected libraries throughout the Protectorate. We believe in ensuring that books are always available for free to our citizens, though the more dangerous books do require clearance or training to access. (This is for your safety. Some books in our collections are sentient and may bite!)      

Branches

The Meles Library System has branches in every major town and mobile libraries for rural areas. Bozeman is home to the main branch. Branches are named as such:

For towns with just one branch: Meles Library (Town)

For towns and cities with more than one branch: Meles Library (Town + Person Branch was named after), such as Meles Library Minneapolis Jellybean and Meles Library Portland Blade.

  For a list of branches see the Meles Branch Directory.    

Get Your Library Card

Sign up for a library card at your local branch or fill out the form online. Once you have a library card, you may search the catalog, check out books, request research materials, use our apps for eBooks, and much more!   Citizens of the Woodland Family Alliance may also apply for a Meles library card for free.  

Interconnected Lending System

Library members may request books from any Meles branch and from other Woodlander protectorate libraries. We have working relationships with the other Protectorates and can likely obtain a copy or scans from books not in our system.  

New Releases

Each month, we share a post with all the new acquisitions from the Meles Library branches. Sign up for the updates to be emailed or texted to you.   Current notable additions include:    

Programs and Events

We have something for everyone!  

All Ages

   

Children's Programs

 

Adults

   

Special Collections

Here are a few of our most notable book groups.  

Textiles Collection

Did you know that the Meles Protectorate has many beautiful and varied textile traditions that stem from our Nordic roots? From spinning, to weaving (such as rya rugs, bands, tablet weaving, etc.), to felting, knitting, crochet, and nalbinding (an ancient yarn craft much older than knitting), tapestries, lichen and mushroom dyes, and so much more. Meles citizens have produced incredible textiles and we have historic samples on display.  

Mining Collection

Much of Meles Protectorate industry and trade owes itself to mining, since Badgers are always the best at this! See how Badgers got started in mining and developed the technology for amazing feats, such as The Wolverine Line under the entire Rockies Range.  

Meles Royal Family Collection

How much do you know about the Royal Family? Do you know how they started or how the family line intertwines with the Lapin line? What did The Late Great Badger's Diary say about Princess ShyRedFox and Queen Badger Purpleheart? The Royal Family has donated a number of historic documents and journals to our keeping for the public record. (As with the Literomantic Collection below, all items are kept in temperature and climate controlled spaces with security.)  

Literomantic Collection

What is the oldest document to describe Literomancy? The Meles Library and Lapin Library systems share ownership and display privileges for the Tractatus Magicae Terras (Treaty of Magic Lands) from 27 BC. Ours is one of the world's most complete Literomantic history collections. (As with the Meles Royal Family Collection above, all items are kept in temperature and climate controlled spaces with security.)  

High-Security Works

Books in this private collection are only available to those with high enough clearance or training. The holdings have no public list. This collection is heavily warded and has a number of magic controls.   Why do we have such strong measures? Well, some of the books are sentient and on the cranky side. They may attack or bite. Other books contain dark secrets not even the Royal Family is privy to. Librarians are carefully selected to tend this collection.  

Rumor says that the Meles Library contains books or scrolls that describe a way to remove literomantic power. It was brought up at an AllThing generations ago, when it's said a terrifying The Great Badger was on the throne...Only in the Allthing could a tyrant be stripped of authority and Literomantic power.

— from the House Meles notes

 

Exactly how the Literomantic Power would be removed is unspecified. The Meles House Librarians (that are not members of the Trifecta) are the only ones who would be able to retrieve a tome of such powerful information, if it still exists. Additionally, the Librarians fear such an action, even if necessary, could divide the Protectorate forever. Perhaps this is the reason the Meles Library is so heavily warded.

— from the AllThing notes