Unseen University Library

Lore & Background

The Librarian primarily uses the word 'Ook', inflected for simple affirmations and negations, though he occasionally uses 'Eeek' in moments of panic or rage. Most people seem able to understand him. He has a violent reaction to most people calling him a 'monkey', as he is technically an ape. The Discworld Companion hints and The Art of Discworld confirms that the Librarian was Dr Horace Worblehat, though his fears of turning back into a human are baseless at most.

In Their Own Story

In The Light Fantastic, the Creator's great magical tome, the Octavo, worked a spell reshaping the world to ensure Rincewind did not leave the Disc, transforming the Librarian in a magical accident. On discovering that being an orang-utan had certain advantages for a librarian — he could climb up to high shelves, for example — he refused to be transformed back into a human and has remained an orang-utan ever since.

Reader's Guide

As with other members of the UU faculty, the Librarian is referred to by his office and not by a name. If his name were known, he could be changed back into a human. By the time of The Last Continent novel, he has carefully excised his name from the records of the Unseen University.

Did You Know?

• The Librarian refuses to be transformed back into a human because being an orang-utan allows him to climb high shelves.
• If someone ever reported that there was an orang-utan in the Library, the wizards would probably go and ask the Librarian if he'd seen it.
• Rincewind is apparently the only wizard who still remembers the Librarian's name but has agreed not to tell anyone.
• The Librarian reacts violently if people call him a 'monkey' because he is technically an ape.