The Library (16 Oct. 1991)

The fate of people from Jerry's and George's past is revealed as Jerry is forced to account for an overdue book from 1971. Kramer falls for a librarian. Elaine fears trouble at work.

Director:

Joshua White

Writers:

Larry David (creator), Jerry Seinfeld (creator),

Stars:

Jerry Seinfeld, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Michael Richards

Cast

Episode complete credited cast:
Jerry Seinfeld	...	Jerry Seinfeld
Julia Louis-Dreyfus	...	Elaine Benes
Michael Richards	...	Kramer
Jason Alexander	...	George Costanza
Philip Baker Hall	...	Lt. Bookman
Ashley Gardner	...	Marion (as Ashley Gardener)
Harris Shore	...	Mr. Lippman
Cynthia Szigeti	...	Sherry Becker
Biff Yeager	...	Mr. Heyman
Neal Lerner	...	The 'Shusher'
Marie Barrientos	...	Receptionist

Storyline

Jerry is amazed to receive a letter from the New York City Library telling him he has a overdue book - from 1971. He's certain he returned it - a copy of Henry Miller's Tropic of Cancer - but the library's chief investigator, a no-nonsense tough guy right out of a bad Hollywood movie, doesn't want to hear excuses. George is shaken when he goes to the library with Jerry only to see a homeless man on the step who is the spitting image of his high school tormentor, gym teacher Mr. Heyman. It was George's complaint that got the man fired and he now thinks he may have ruined his life. Kramer meanwhile starts dating the librarian and Elaine is convinced that her boss he out to fire her.

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Plot Keywords:

library | librarian | book | homeless man | reading aloud | 

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Genres:

Comedy

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

16 October 1991 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Shapiro/West Productions, Castle Rock Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

22 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

4:3

Did You Know?

Trivia

In this episode Harris Shore played Mr. Lippman. In other episodes Richard Fancy made this character his own.

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Quotes

Jerry: This woman's completely ignoring me.
Kramer: Look at her. This is a lonely woman looking for companionship... spinster... maybe a virgin... maybe she got hurt a long time ago. She was a schoolgirl. There was a boy It didn't work out. Now she needs a little tenderness. She needs a little understanding. She needs a little Kramer.
Jerry: And eventually a little shot of penicillin.

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Crazy Credits

Sherry Becker was credited as Sandy.

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Connections

Featured in Seinfeld: Highlights of a Hundred (1995)

User Reviews

Kan't-STANz'yaa!!!

Single Favorite Line: (Lieutenant Bookman recalls the past) "Yeah, '71, that was my first year on the job..bad year for libraries - bad year for America...hippies burning there library cards, Abbie Hoffman telling everyone to steal books...I don't judge a man by the length of his hair, or the kind of music he listens to --ROCK WAS NEVER MY BAG!" (okay, not a "line", a soliloquy - but regardless, too good to pass up!)

Notable Guest Stars: Philip Baker Hall (as Lt. Bookman, NYPL w/ a badge!, and Ashley Gardener (as Marion the librarian)

Memorable Exchange: (with Jerry and Kramer leaning over the counter behind Marion at NYPL) J: "...This woman is completely ignoring me!" - K: "Look at her ..this is a lonely woman looking for companionship...a SPINSTER...maybe a VIRGIN!...maybe she got hurt, a long time ago..she was a schoolgirl, there was a boy, it didn't work out...so now she needs a little tenderness, she needs a little understanding --NEEDS a little Kramer!" - J: "..Then she'll need a shot of Penicillin."

Key Topics: *Overdue Books *Changed Appearances *Wedgies *Deceptive Memory *Henry Miller

Part I Didn't Like: I really wanted them to make more of Mr. Haymen, the former Phys-Ed-tormentor-cum-homeless-loon.

Extra Nice Touch: The editing and writing are in near-perfect harmony.

7 of 10 - One of the three best scripted by Larry Charles