"The Library" is the 22nd episode of the American sitcom ''

Seinfeld ''Seinfeld'' ( ) is an American television sitcom created by Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld that originally aired on NBC from July 5, 1989, to May 14, 1998, with a total of nine seasons consisting of List of Seinfeld episodes, 180 episodes. It ...

''. It was the fifth episode of the show's third season. It aired on

NBC The National Broadcasting Company (NBC) is an American commercial broadcast television and radio network serving as the flagship property of the NBC Entertainment division of NBCUniversal, a subsidiary of Comcast. It is one of NBCUniversal's ...

on October 16, 1991.

Plot

Jerry learns he has a library fine from 1971, for the then-controversial book ''

Tropic of Cancer The Tropic of Cancer, also known as the Northern Tropic, is the Earth's northernmost circle of latitude where the Sun can be seen directly overhead. This occurs on the June solstice, when the Northern Hemisphere is tilted toward the Sun ...

'', and that the "case" has been turned over to the library investigations officer, Lt. Joe Bookman. George arrives at the library, where he suspects that a

homeless Homelessness, also known as houselessness or being unhoused or unsheltered, is the condition of lacking stable, safe, and functional housing. It includes living on the streets, moving between temporary accommodation with family or friends, liv ...

man on the steps outside is Mr. Heyman, a

physical education Physical education is an academic subject taught in schools worldwide, encompassing Primary education, primary, Secondary education, secondary, and sometimes tertiary education. It is often referred to as Phys. Ed. or PE, and in the United Stat ...

teacher at his high school whom he reported for giving him a wedgie, which got him fired. After meeting up with his former girlfriend, Sherry Becker, Jerry remembers that he gave the book to George (who subsequently lost it after getting the wedgie from Heyman). Jerry later pays Lt. Bookman the library fine. Kramer flirts with the librarian, Marion, starting a forbidden affair with her. Elaine is concerned that Mr. Lippman is planning to fire her, so after she sees Kramer crying over Marion's poetry, she takes some of it, trying unsuccessfully to impress Lippman with a new literary find. The final scene shows the homeless man in an alley, revealing himself as Heyman because he's mumbling "can't stand ya", an insulting version of George's last name, and a dilapidated copy of the long-lost ''Tropic of Cancer'' lies at his side.

Reception

Philip Baker Hall Philip Baker Hall (September 10, 1931 – June 12, 2022) was an American character actor. He is known for his collaborations with Paul Thomas Anderson, including '' Hard Eight'' (1996), ''Boogie Nights'' (1997), and ''Magnolia'' (1999). He also ...

's role as a lieutenant, whom he played in imitation of

Jack Webb John Randolph Webb (April 2, 1920 – December 23, 1982) was an American actor, television producer, Television director, director, and screenwriter, most famous for his role as Joe Friday in the Dragnet (franchise), ''Dragnet'' franchise ...

's Sergeant

Joe Friday Joe Friday is a fictional character created and portrayed by Jack Webb as the lead for his series '' Dragnet''. Friday is a detective in the Los Angeles Police Department. The character first appeared on June 3, 1949, in the premiere of the NB ...

of '' Dragnet'' fame, was very well received. It was considered to be one of the best guest appearances on ''Seinfeld'', and led to Hall receiving many other offers of work. It was rated as one of his most memorable performances. When the New York Public Library decided to eliminate late fees in October 2021, it posted a satiric piece in its blog, supposedly written by another character of that episode (Sherry Becker), wishing Lt. Bookman a happy retirement.

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Library 1991 American television episodes Seinfeld season 3 episodes Works set in libraries