The Social Life of Books

Second Session of the Paper Bonds project seminar developped within the AV ČR-CNRS Tandem Program supported by the Czech Academy of Sciences, CNRS and CEFRES.

Date : 29 avril 2026
Location : Centre Jacques Berque, Rabat
Language: French

Speakers : Hélène MARTINELLI (ENS Lyon / CEFRES), Giedrė ŠABASEVIČIŪTĖ (Institute of Orientale Studies, AV ČR / CEFRES), Zoé CARLE (Fablitt, Paris 8 / IUF)

See the program of the event in French here.

Abstract

Behind this proposal to go beyond reading lies a reflection on the social life of books,  that is, their tendency to be offered, passed on, preserved, moved, or even destroyed. The aim is to focus on the moment of their reception rather than their production, and to examine their physical nature and the social bonds they forge.

What becomes of books that do not circulate through the usual distribution channels? What function and status do books that do not necessarily find readers acquire? Where does a book find its place when its distribution and circulation are hindered and no reception is planned in contexts where the book supply chain is fragile, if not disrupted? And when there is a reader, to what extent can building one’s own library compensate for the identified gaps in access to books?

Starting from the Moroccan case, we will explore how it relates to the other regions studied as part of the Paper Bonds project, from Central Europe to the Middle East.

Please find the complete program of the Paper Bonds seminar here.