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The Library Book Signed First Edition Reference

The Library Book (Simon & Schuster, 2018) investigates the 1986 fire at the Los Angeles Central Library — the largest library fire in American history, which destroyed or damaged over a million books — while weaving in a celebration of libraries as public institutions. The book combines true-crime investigation (the fire was likely arson, and the suspected arsonist’s story is stranger than fiction) with institutional history and personal memoir.

Signed Copy Market Values

  • Signed first in jacket: $25–$50
  • Unsigned first in jacket: $5–$12

A book beloved by librarians and book lovers — Orlean toured extensively, making signed copies widely available.