Atmospheric pollution and overpopulation were serious concerns on Earth by the end of the 21st century. Human movement was severely limited. The Wiper colonization of 2103 could not be stopped. This primitive species from the Dark Star solar system found Earth perfect for their favorite pastime: the disruption of all communication and data technology. The spread of Wipers and pollution increased the need for the scientific search for solutions. In 2117, the world-wide government voted for the gradual evacuation of all Earthlings to the White Crystal solar system. This report was completed in 2123 during our final days on Earth. We leave it for those who may return here in a storage vault for human learning...the last Earth library.

For the first time ever, Tomes & Talismans fans will have the opportunity to stream episodes of the series online! All episodes are available on MPB Passport — our streaming platform available to MPB Foundation members.

Back to the Beginning

In 2123, humanity is evacuating Earth for the White Crystal Solar System, due to pollution and an attack carried out by the nefarious Wiper race, a group of aliens that are determined to interfere with communication and data technology.

On October 17, we’ll go back to the beginning with Ms. Bookheart and the Users as they rediscover Earth’s last hidden library and its knowledge through problem solving, adventure and using the Dewey Decimal system.

Original Cast

• Brian Ward as the Universal Being
• Jackie Lett as Earth Descendant

Librarians

The One World Order is preparing a complete library of all Human knowledge which is hidden underground. A desperate search by head librarian Ms. Bookheart for an important missing volume of recent history begins in the library in the outskirts of the city.

• Nicki Wood as Ms. Bookheart - Head Librarian
• Denise Halbach as Dundee
• Michael Stewart as Lester
• Shari Schneider as Margaret

Users

Ms. Bookheart awakens in a world dominated by the Wipers and greeted by four children—Aphos, Abakas, Varian, and Lidar—members of another group of tech-savvy extraterrestrials known as "The Users". The children, along with Ms. Bookheart, rediscover the hidden library, and in the course of the series she teaches them how to use it.

• Joan Stebe as Tesla - Leader of the Users
• Cresta Martin as Abakas - Tesla's granddaughter
• Darin Hyer as Aphos - Tesla's grandson and Abakas' older brother
• Mia Trevillion as Varian
• Jamie Martin as Lidar
• Traber Burns as Colonel Holon - Abakas' and Aphos' father
• Nick Stebe as Pixel
• John Horhn as Reset
• Charles Sampson as Chroma
• Mondria Jackson
• Linda Martin
• Osborne Moyer
• Jason Pace
• Fredericka Sands
• Steven Sprayberry
• Danyella Tedford
• Maurine Twiss

Wipers

In 2123, humanity is evacuating Earth for the White Crystal Solar System, due to pollution and an attack carried out by the nefarious Wiper race, a group of aliens that are determined to interfere with communication and data technology.

• Mac McMillin as Chief Humbuckler - Leader of the Wipers
• Russ Swain as Ferrite - Humbuckler's right-hand man
• W.C. McMullin as the Platoon Commander
• Mary Holden as Grimick
• Jim Robinson as Bumfig
• B.J Lambert as Mrs. Humbuckler
• Dianne Brown
• Jamie Ware
• Kerry Yoder
• Walley Wooten
• Patricia Gougne

Tomes & Talismans is an instructional series produced in the mid-1980s by Mississippi Public Broadcasting known then as Mississippi Educational Television. The purpose of the series was to teach library research methods. To make the lessons more appealing, they setting was a futuristic Sci-Fi environment. An alien race called “The Wipers” is trying to destroy human knowledge, while librarians aided by their allies, “The Users,” attempt to preserve it. The series of 13 episodes was widely viewed in school settings and is well remembered by students of that era.

The 1986 series was produced by Mississippi Public Broadcasting–then Mississippi ETV– as a tool to teach elementary age students about the Dewey Decimal system. As an educational resource, Tomes & Talismans found its way into homes, schools and libraries across the nation, gaining fans far and wide along the way.