The Richelieu Library branch was located in Paris's 2nd arrondissement, right beside the Church of Our Lady of Victory. Perhaps that was why Place Louvois, across from the library, had once been used as a cemetery.
There was a Louvois Fountain in the square. Built in 1844, it was said to honor France's four major rivers: the Seine, Loire River, Saône River, and Garonne River.
The Richelieu Library was closed to the public after 5 p.m., and even scholars conducting research had to leave by 7:30. However, there was one exception.
"This way, Mr. Smith." Aiger, the library director, politely addressed Severus.
"Where are we?" Severus asked as he looked at the bookshelves around them.
"This is the central repository," Aiger said. "It may look old on the outside, but inside, we maintain constant temperature and humidity to ensure the paper does not become damp, moldy, and unreadable. We also have dedicated restoration staff. If you leave your manuscripts with our library, they will certainly be properly preserved."
Severus ignored her. He held a handwritten copy of the American Declaration of Independence. As long as he became an "investor," the director would not complain even if he stayed later than usual.
"What are these?" Severus asked, looking at a row of tubes on the floor.
"That was our old delivery system," Aiger said. "It was pneumatic, and we were still using it before '98. Readers used to write the names of the books they wanted on paper slips and send them through these tubes to our sorters. The sorters would then search the shelves, and once they found the books, send them back through the tubes to the readers."
"Why don't you use it now?"
"We have computers now," Aiger said with a smile. "Our librarians can search directly by