Why do TV hosts pose in front of their libraries?

There is Cyril Hanouna or Camille Combal who open the doors of their living rooms for Tonight at Baba (C8) or Who wants to earn millions (TF1), there is Faustine Bollaert in tight shot for It starts at home (France 2), there are the sporting guests of Lucile Woodward in their gardens for  Restez en forme (France 3). But above all there are many libraries. While many guests and TV hosts must, confinement, intervene from home in the programs, viewers can scrutinize the sets.

And, especially when it comes to an academic or a doctor, for example, many speakers choose to show their libraries. In the United States, an artificial intelligence application from Google has shown an explosion of library images on CNN. A media analysis blog writes that "library images are skyrocketing because TV interviewees are creating a" scholarly "backdrop to the home. Libraries evoke expertise, knowledge and scientific and academic authority. "

Attention to the classification

In Switzerland, RTS made a similar analysis by observing television broadcasts since the confinement. "What does this renewed interest in furniture that had almost disappeared from our visual field mean?" Asks Valérie Droux. On the screen, no manga, bestsellers or too precious books that one does not even dare to open but a lot of essays, pockets and some beautiful books - but not too much to avoid appearing pedantic or too easy. "

In these times of confinement, the library of Augustin Trapenard is a dream ... pic.twitter.com/Ka9qTKOzjy

Do we have any idea which journalist or columnist won the battle of the one who has the biggest library behind him when he goes on TV?

For many viewers, showing themselves in front of their library is however considered inappropriate. If we go beyond the ranting and jealousy expressed on social networks, we also find Internet users fascinated by the ways of storing their books from their favorite columnists, or by the appearance of an amazing, unexpected book. "The layout of the books makes sense," analyzes editorial writer Valérie Droux. Avoid too homogeneous classification - by color or collections - which gives the impression of a tapestry, the too academic which gives you the image of the scientist a little disconnected or the too relaxed which makes think of an abandoned garden. "

"The quest for cultural salvation"

In his study on The Social Uses of Reading , sociologist Gérard Mauger notes "the narcissistic reinforcing effects exerted by favorite books:" flattering mirrors ", they are supposed to formulate exactly what the reader thought confusedly, or rather what that he thinks he meant. Showing your books is showing yourself, you think. But in its best light. "Like any cultural practice which receives value and the use of a collective assent, reading practices are also practices which receive a distinctive value: literary culture remains the most complete form of culture," illiteracy ", to the opposite is more than ever a stigma, ”notes Gérard Mauger.

Surrounding yourself with books on television can also reveal a desire not to be confused with the comer. "The quest for cultural salvation can thus appear in the sacredness with which the book object is surrounded", points out the sociologist.

If you too want to embody "the ideal-typical figure of literary belief, cultural devotion, the quest for salvation through reading" described by Gérard Mauger, but you have no libraries to ask during your videoconference with your colleagues, the Library Journal invites you to place in the background the images of the most beautiful libraries in the world. For the next point counting-2nd quarter, we suggest the Marucilliana library in Florence, which is largely worth Baba's living room.

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