Speaking Volumes: Doctor Who still leaves viewers guessing after 52 years

Fifty-two years and 35 television seasons later, and we still don't know the real name of The Doctor, the main character of Doctor Who, a Time Lord from the planet Gallifrey. Instead of dying, the Doctor is able to "regenerate" into a new body, taking on a new personality with each regeneration. A self-given title to promote himself as a healer, fixer and pacifist, The Doctor could also be given the title of library advocate.

The Doctor doesn't like guns and says he chooses to arm himself with knowledge. His time-traveling machine, called a TARDIS (Time And Relative Dimension In Space), which is commonly described by those who enter it as being "bigger on the inside" includes, among myriad other things, a library.

"Books!" he tells a traveling companion when they visit a planet which is one big library, "People never really stop loving books!"

When trapped in a library after being chased by a werewolf in another episode, he exclaims, "You want weapons? We're in a library. Books! Best weap

ons in the world. This room's the greatest arsenal we could have. Arm yourself."

Arm yourself with books, DVDs, comics, and much more about The Doctor by visiting (online or in-person) your local arsenal, the Manatee County Public Library.

Some of the books we have available are on the "12 Must-Own Books" BBC America list. This includes "Doctor Who 50: The Essential Guide," by Justin Richards and "Doctor Who: The Vault" by Marcus Hearn, which contains 50 years of scripts, photos, letters, costume designs and props. Another title on this list is "Doctor Who: Who-ology" by Cavan Scott and Mark Wright, which contains facts and figures in a collection of charts, tables and illustrations that make up the "Whoniverse."

Another title of interest is "Doctor Who: A History," by Alan Kistler, which provides an overview of the first 11 actors who have played The Doctor and provides an overview of the success the series has enjoyed in the United States.

All eight seasons of the complete new "Doctor Who" series and select older series episodes, are available on DVD, including "The Dalek Invasion of Earth" and "The Three Doctors," where the first three doctors work together to prevent their energy from draining into a mysterious black hole.

The library system's newest database, "hoopla," also has a variety of "Doctor Who" comics, eBooks, and even music albums. Library card holders can sign up at hoopladigital.com to read or listen to these titles on their smartphones, tablets and computers.

We may never know the answers to common Doctor Who questions, but we do know that on this 52nd anniversary of the Doctor Who series premiere, The Doctor's popularity has swept the world, making this healer, fixer, pacifist (and library advocate) a hero to millions.

Speaking Volumes, written by Manatee County Public Library System staff members, is published each Sunday. You may also access the library via the Internet: www.mymanatee.org/library. Kelly Foster is responsible for marketing and public relations in the Manatee County Public Library System.

This story was originally published November 20, 2015 at 5:51 PM with the headline "Speaking Volumes: Doctor Who still leaves viewers guessing after 52 years ."