[lug] C(++) library to detect file type (a la 'file')

[rm at fabula.de]

Hello everyone,

i'm looking for a (GPL comaptible) library that implements file type 
detection similar to 'file(1)'. The only stuff i found so far is: 
 - in libgnome (which i'd hate to have to install on a server) 
 - There's an article and software package on freedesktop.org that
   address the need for a unified 'file magic' database, but  that
   lacks a client program/library to query the database.

 Any pointers (or &references) would be highly welcome.

 TIA Ralf Mattes