The British Library

The British Library 

The day began with a stop at Platform 9 ¾ at Kings Cross Station. That alone should have tipped me off that it would be a magical day. Silly maybe, but most definitely true. After declaring my Gryffindor colors and capturing the moment with a photo, it was time to venture across the street to The British Library. When I walked through the doors I was struck by the modern compartmentalized appearance of the inside of the building. The only books that you see are contained in a multi-story glass enclosed case. To each side are alcoves and rooms that separate different reading room areas and exhibits. I found I wanted to go everywhere at once! To save me from my urge to sprint through the building taking it all in, Kevin Mehmet our tour guide for the day, greeted us.

So began a lesson in the history of The British Library, and a backstage pass to the work being done behind the scenes. The British Library receives 7,000 visitors a day. A staggering amount considering this is not a lending library. You must have a reader’s card to access library materials, and even then you may only use the materials within one of the reading rooms. People who want to access materials must provide two forms of photo ID and a bibliography of items they would like to access from the catalog. Once you have obtained your card you may place a request. I found the process for fulfilling request incredibly interesting.

My perspective comes from a relatively small public library branch where you can walk the length of the building in a matter of a few minutes. One person checks the entire building for anywhere between 40 to 100 plus holds placed by patrons. At the British Library, requests are sent to the automated retrieval system where they are accessed by staff at the sub-level where books are housed. Staff sends the material up where it is scanned and placed in a series of trays. Seeing the system of conveyor belts and machinery used to transport material to its designated reading room was astonishing as it is over a mile long. What was even more interesting about the process to me was how the material is organized. Is it Dewey? No. Is it Library of Congress? No. It is organized by size in order to utilize storage space more efficiently. I never would have guessed that such a complex system would be structured around something so practical as the size of a book.

There were so many highlights of this visit. The exhibition on the first floor was particularly magical for me. Featured in one of the cases was the writing desk of Jane Austen. As I looked through that sturdy barrier, I imagined that talented and daring woman plotting the next tart and sarcastic remark from Elizabeth to Darcy. To see the space where literary genius took place, especially something so inconspicuous in it's size and decoration, was overwhelming. This is where original thought and creativity took place. The fact that the British Library has these objects and is willing to share them with the masses was incredibly humbling. So many treasures get locked away and here I stood, gazing upon history with barely anything between us. I will never forget my time there.