L-space, thought to be short for library-space, is a fictional dimension or set of dimensions documented in Terry Pratchett's Discworld books. It is an expansion on his potrayal of the written word having mystical properties on the Discworld, and how large collections of books can warp space and time around them. It largely resembles a very large area full of shelves underneath a dome whose centre always seem to be directly above you, no matter how far you travel.

The relevant scientific equation is,

Knowledge = Power = Energy = Matter = Mass

therefore large amounts of knowledge (i.e. any sufficiently-sized library) can warp time and space.

It is possible, through L-Space, to get to any library anywhere and any time in the multiverse. Therefore, using L-Space, one can read any book ever written, any book ever going to be written, every book that people always planned to write but did not do so, or any book that could possibly be written. Since this is effectively a form of both time and interdimensional travel, there are strict limits on its use. Only very senior librarians may be taught the secrets of L-Space and how to avoid its dangers and deal with its denizens. These include the "harmless kickstool crabs, large and heavy wandering thesauri, the .303 bookworm and the dreaded cliches, which must be avoided at all costs".

A popular Terry Pratchett and Discworld fan site is named after this concept. The L-Space Web contains details of many aspects of the Discworld novels, including the Annotated Pratchett FAQ (APF) – annotations of all the Discworld books.

The Wikipedia appears to obey at least some laws relating to L-space.

External links

• "What is this L-Space thing?" at The L-Space web
• The L-Space Web