"Absolutely anything is possible in a library. You never know what you're going to find," he said.

"Browsing [online], you tend to get directed everywhere. 'You like this? Well, have a look at this!' Everything is so wonderfully random in a library."

For ABC Radio Canberra journalist Louise Maher, a library provides a lift to the senses that can't be found online.

"I love that smell of books; in a library you can get a good whiff of books," she said, with a laugh.

"And there are such a range of resources in libraries - the magazines and DVDS to the computer terminals. And the way the community comes together at a library with things like Giggle and Hoot."

Aside from the chocolates and red roses of Valentine's Day, February 14 was also a chance to celebrate your local library on what was also Library Lovers' Day.

Ms Maher, Mr Laing, Labor MLA Suzanne Orr and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elected Body deputy chair Jo Chivers spoke at the Civic Library on Wednesday, about their favourite books, characters and library experiences.

Ms Orr said she loved the "quietness" of the library and how it was her studying refuge while at university.

"If I was at home, I would have the cleanest house ever. At the library, there were no distractions," she said.

Ms Chivers had a friend who visited every library in the ACT in one day - and used public transport to get to them - a pretty remarkable show of love for her local storehouse of knowledge and entertainment.

"I just love the community feel of a library," she said.

"At Woden on a Saturday morning, I can head down there with my coffee and a biscuit and settle into a comfortable chair and read a book."

Because, yes, coffee is allowed in the modern library, confirms Libraries ACT director Vanessa Little, who says they have had to be a little more understanding of how people like to enjoy a book.

"What do you think people do when they get home? They read their book in the bath." she said, with a laugh.

In an entertaining talk led by Ms Little, the guests told stories about books, including their favourite fictional character.

Ms Orr nominated Dirk Pitt from the Clive Cussler adventure novels.

"Who wouldn't want to go on a great adventure with Dirk? Saving the world in the most haphazard and unintended way," she said.

Ms Chivers was a fan of Agatha Christie's Miss Marple.

"She reminds me of so many of my own relatives."

Phryne Fisher from the detective novels by Kerry Greenwood got Ms Maher's vote.

It would be so much fun to go out on the town with Phryne Fisher. You wouldn't know where you end up but you'd have a hoot of an adventure."

Mr Laing just couldn't choose: "I've got too many. I enjoy them all. They all become my friends and my allies".