Several days a week my coworkers at Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library greet me with a familiar phrase: "Maya is looking for you!" A homebound senior living alone, Maya frequently seeks my assistance with what professional jargon refers to as "material selection." SNFL staff members are accustomed to Maya's persistence; they understand that our phone number is a lifeline for Maya. A patron of the Library for a number of decades, she recently characterized books provided for her by the Library as the "chief supporting system of her soul".

A certifiable polymath, Maya is a voracious reader. In addition to constantly re-reading her favorite works of literature, she is interested in astrophysics, space exploration, mysticism, Renaissance, and modern art, poetry, classical music, human evolution, and history. A lifetime of reading has left her with exacting standards that cannot be accommodated by a recommendation engine or a curated list.

Our reference tête-à-tête invariably begins with Maya's usual remonstrance: "Mariannochka, I have absolutely nothing left to read!" I do my best to feign surprise, as I distinctly remember sending her at least a dozen books earlier in the week. "What about that book by Akunin I shipped you last Tuesday?" A prolific author of historical mysteries, Boris Akunin recently edited a popular series of sweeping narrative histories. "I must tell you all about Kievan Rus'!" exclaims Maya with pleasure. She begins with a general overview of the subject by commenting on the extraordinary amount of violence present in many ancient societies, gradually moving towards an assessment of the role Vikings played in early Russian history, progressing towards a discussion of causes and consequences of Mongol invasion of Kievan Rus', concluding with some thoughts on the diverse genetic and cultural makeup of modern Russia. During her review of a book titled When Elephants Weep Maya marvels at the complex emotional lives of gorillas, and snickers at the bizarre physiology and elaborate mating rituals of blue whales. After she is done reviewing every book of note she has read since our last conversation, Maya provides me with a list of authors we need to "investigate." She takes delight in biographies that illuminate particular historical periods, while demolishing reputations of prominent historical figures.

Like many avid readers, Maya feels compelled to read the classics. To her frustration and bitter disappointment, many eminent authors fail to engage her. Maya's curt dismissal of a particular literary giant prompts me to burst into uncontrollable laughter, a behavior not altogether appropriate for my position. Although I share Maya's irreverence towards many members of the established literary canon, two avid readers can never agree on everything. On the occasions when I ship Maya books that fail to please, she is quick to remind me of my "inappropriate" love affairs with a number of proscribed authors. My current favorite, obscure and brilliant Fredercik Gorenstein, was immediately disallowed. Maya does not tolerate dark prophetic visions, and has no patience with endless quixotic quests for redemption.

While receptive to most of my literary suggestions, Maya is notoriously uncompromising with visual entertainment. She will only watch movies with Richard Gere, Julia Roberts, Morgan Freeman, Jack Nicholson, Al Pacino, and Meryl Streep. My recent attempts to expand her cinematic horizon have incurred Maya's wrath.I would not dream of complaining, as during our recent conversation Maya told me that she considers my duties at NYPL "a noble work that uplifts my soul and maintains my spirit."

While Maya frequently complains about a lack of "decent" new films, she hardly ever mentions her health or isolation. She seems to have taken Cicero's advice on aging, living a life of contemplation, and enjoying the park next to her apartment.

It has been a privilege and an absolute pleasure to support my friend Maya in her lifelong quest to understand the world. On behalf of all SNFL staff members, I would like to wish Maya a very Happy Birthday!

A Few of Maya's Favorite Books

• How to Grow Old by Cicero
• When Elephants Weep by Masson J. Moussaieff
• Suitcase, Pushkin Hills and anything else by Sergei Dovlatov
• The Talisman and Other Stories by Victoria Tokareva
• Airport by Arthur Hailey
• The Collected Stories of Ivan Bunin 
• The Forsyte Saga by John Galsworthy
• Best Short Stories of O.Henry
• The Reach of Rome a Journey Through the Lands of the Ancient Empire, Following a Coin by Alberto Angela 
• Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegurt