Proceedings of a conference held at the Centre for the Book, Cape Town, 11-14 May, 2005.

A collection of stories includes the novel-length title piece in which a post-menopausal university librarian is pressed into reluctant duty as a sex cop and patrols the aisles to prevent illicit student couplings.

This volume presents new research and critical debates in African book history, and brings together a range of disciplinary perspectives by leading scholars in the subject. It includes case studies from across Africa, ranging from third-century manuscript traditions to twenty-first century internet communications.