Final answer:
The Latin root word 'libr-' refers to freedom or the condition of being free and is associated with words related to books, freedom of speech, and literature, such as 'library' and 'librarian'.
Step-by-step explanation:
The root word libr- is derived from the Latin libertas, meaning freedom or condition of being free, much like the condition of not being a slave.
It is related to various English words that imply an association with books and information or the concept of freedom. These include terms such as library, which is a collection of books and resources for reading, study, or reference, and librarian, who is someone responsible for maintaining and organizing a library.
The word libel refers to the written defamation of someone's character and implies illegal misuse of the written word, thus indirectly connected to the notion of free speech and its boundaries.
The term libretto is related to literature or booklets that contain the text of an opera or other long musical composition. All these words encapsulate the core idea of both freedom of thought and writing as well as the structures that house and preserve written works.