The book quest is by no means necessary.

You just miss the quest reward (which is: 13.824 exp, reputation +1, free healing from now on (though I think this is bugged), key to medics closet (in which is a Skill book: Survival->Alchemy, Wizard ->Elemental attack ->Spread Missile, Wizard -> Elemental defense->Individual-> Reflect & Resistance, Wizard -> Elemental curses -> Focussed) )

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