Central Library and New College Library, Edinburgh, Scotland

Central Library

Central Library in Edinburgh Scotland is built on the original foundation from the 1600's. The library still contains the multilevel shelving with hidden staircases. The passages were originally used by staff, separating male and female entrances for staff. The age of the building creates a unique working environment as heat and cooling are a bit temperamental. The library is an interesting mix of old and new. On one hand, technology is being utilized for digital services, and on the other there are still active physical card catalogs. My librarians heart was so happy to see the beautiful rows of traditional card catalogs, but I was definitely surprised that patrons still use them to place requests. Once they locate an item in the catalog they fill out a request slip that is on carbon paper. These requests are filled by library staff. While they still utilize this system, they are also involved in digital ebooks, audiobooks, and magazines. It is an interesting combination of resources that I found unique to any public library I have visited.

The portion of the tour that captivated my attention the most was the presentation about a service project the library had engaged in called Youth Talk. It focused on youth services in the community. The library recognized that they weren't reaching a certain demographic in the community, namely teens. They sought out a group to better understand what they were looking for in terms of activities in their community so that the library could help provide them. I felt the approach the library took with these children was an amazing confidence builder. They essentially handed over the reins of the project and created a committee of teens who helped guide the activities and who the adult workers would be. The program allowed the teens to be vocal about the different areas of the community and where they felt the most comfortable. It gave them the power to get what they want and need. The program activities included graffiti art, film work, and a life skills course. At the end there was an awards ceremony honoring the work of the youth involved. The incredible part is that the program did not cost anything. The library looked at what they already had and put it to use. I feel that youth services to teens is a vital area that public libraries should be addressing and I feel inspired to use the example of the Central Library in my own service area.

New College Library

New College Library was founded in 1843. It was created as the library for Free Church College which was to be a training place for ministers. The Library is housed in what was once a church. The library was built from donations. It received 3,000 items in the first year. It now has 90,000 items including manuscripts and rare books. Today it is part of the University of Edinburgh. The library is open access and the majority of the collection uses the Library of Congress classification system. While the collection is focused on theology for the School of Divinity, all students in all subject areas can access the collection. The atmosphere of the library is very traditional in most respects. There are very few computers provided by the library. Students generally bring in their own laptops and devices when using the space. For the general collection students use a self return and self issue system. Within the main floor of the library is a glassed in reading room named the Funk Reading room which is used for Special Collections. In terms of digital material, in this discipline printed material appears to be of higher value to scholars. They face the challenge of providing both mediums.

Traveling down in the elevator to the stacks reminded me of Alice falling through the rabbit hole. It was an adventure into a new world full of unique objects. The organization of materials housed within the shelves on the lower floors was not what I was expecting. At the time of our visit, about 60% of the libraries stock had been cataloged. Physical catalogs are still in use and there is a project archivist putting information online. I found the method for cataloging very interesting as they are not approaching sections of material and adding it in. Items are being cataloged once the are checked out and returned. It makes sense after thinking about it because it decreases the number of times material is being handled. They already have a system in place that allows students to locate the material for the time being so why increase the use of staff time when the items are going to be processed in a natural way on their own. It's a smart approach, it just seems to mean that it will take longer to complete the catalog because there's no guarantee of when material will be checked out. I loved walking down the aisles of early bibles, hymn and song books, and a medieval manuscript. The collection is historically rich and I feel privileged to have seen it first hand.

Durham

Durham University Library and Ushaw College

After a long ride through a lovely English downpour, our group arrived in Durham where we would get to tour Durham Cathedral, the Bill Bryson Library, Cosin's Library, and Ushaw College. It was a very exciting time to be in Durham because for the students of the University, it was that moment all students dream of, graduation! As we walked through the city our first evening we were able to see an intimate portrait of a centuries old community that has not only preserved many original buildings, but still use them today. Crossing the bridge to get to the Cathedral was like passing through a secret gateway. The view of the river surrounded by green foliage and the Cathedral looming above the treetops was breathtaking. After ascending the hill to the Cathedral we waded through the triumphant graduates and their proud families to the Cathedral where we attended Evensong. After the service we were able to visit Bede's tomb for a few stolen moments as the Cathedral was closing for the evening. It was a wonderful start to our brief visit.

The next morning we descended from the residence hall to the Bill Bryson Library. After tucking our groups considerable amount of luggage into one of the computer labs for safe keeping, we received a tour of this incredible academic library. The library is spread throughout multiple floors. There are designated study areas dispersed throughout the the building along with rows and rows of shelved library material. Students have access to laptops loaned out for use in the building, two computer labs with printing capability, study spaces, and electrical sockets where they can plug in their devices. The shelved material is organized by Dewey Decimal and the lighting is motion activated throughout the stacks. One of the things I found the most interesting is that the library is driven by what the patrons want. Multiple surveys are conducted in order for staff to understand what students want, and determine how to provide it.

Every year students in the United Kingdom participate in a national student survey. The librarians of Durham University use these surveys to increase the satisfaction of library users. One of the ways they provide this is by utilizing patron driven acquisition. I found this process incredibly interesting. Basically, the library gives funds to the distributor or bookseller. They in turn get URL's for thousands of books. The first person to click on the URL gains full access. After a second person clicks on the link, a purchase suggestions is triggered for acquisitions. The time and attention taken to examine what students want, and the true effort put behind giving it to them is inspiring. One of the small ways I observed them doing this is a unique survey being conducted in the library. There is a stand with three compartments representing different choices. Next to it is a container of ping pong balls. The students can place their votes by putting a ping pong ball in the compartment of their choice. It's something simple, visual, and fun that I would guess draws attention and participation.

After a brief tour of the historic Cosin's Library and the dungeon where a digitization project is currently underway, we took a bus out to Ushaw College. We were able to visit the library where material pertaining to America had been pulled from the collection for us to view. This included an 18th century pamphlet titled "An Address to the Roman Catholics of the United States of America" as well as Alexis De Tocqueville's "Democracy in America" from the 1830's. Included in the Ushaw College Library collections are college administration papers, history of the college, manuscripts, personal papers, and correspondence. What really struck me about this library is that they are currently in the process of cataloging the material. So far they have completed about a third to half of the collection. The difficulty arises in large part because items are in foreign languages and require additional help with translation. The exciting part of the cataloging, in my opinion, is what they are discovering inside items in the collection that no one knew about previously. It brings to mind an archaeological dig, but within the pages and bindings of books. It brings a new perspective and new life to elements of the collection.

Middle Temple Law Library

Middle Temple Law Library

Our class tour of the Middle Temple Law Library was conducted by librarian Renae Satterly. She began our tour with an overview of the four Inns of Court to help us understand Middle Temple's position within that structure. There is the Inner Temple, Middle Temple, Gray's Inn, and Lincoln's Inn. If you want to practice law and join the bar, you must be a member of one of the inns. The Inn's are responsible for calling barristers to the bar. Joining is highly competitive and only about half of applicants get pupillage. To be eligible you must have a degree and have passed the Bar. Each Inn has its own library and they share jurisdiction.

The Middle Temple Law Library was founded in 1641. It was in this year that Robert Ashley bequeathed 3,700 book with subjects covering medicine, science, and religion. It is open to all members of the Inns of Court. Within the collection there are textbooks, handbills, historic texts, and ecclesiastical law. The library carries past editions of textbooks and law reports with the belief that they are still relevant because they contain good law. Material not shelved in the main library is held within the two basement levels. Members are able to use the tables and workstations set up between each row of shelving. The middle of the library on the ground level is open space with glass cases featuring different texts. At the back of the ground floor there is a desk with a portrait of Robert Ashley. It feels as though he is keeping a weather eye on the work that he started with his donation.

The organization of the library was a surprise to me. There is no classification system. The reasoning behind this is that the Inns want the library to resemble what is known as a "gentleman's library". It does indeed have the appearance of what you might find in a stately house. It is aesthetically pleasing, but I wonder how difficult it is to locate material for researchers. The items are cataloged however. The library uses SirsiDynix workflows for the catalog. The work of the law library seemed quite intimidating to me. The task of examining years of text to find the information needed to prove a legal point would require first, an understanding of the law being practiced, and a tremendous amount of attention to detail. One thing that I found incredibly encouraging is that our guide, much like several of our guides, informed our class that the specific skills for this kind of library work were learned while on the job. I feel that one of the skills of information professionals is acquiring new knowledge. If you are willing to learn a new system or area of expertise, with the fundamental skills of the profession you can transition through various specialties. That is something I hope to be able to accomplish.

The Maughan Library, Kings College London

The Maughan Library and Special Collections

The Maughan Library at Kings College London is responsible for a diverse assortment of materials. It provides services to the college including material for checkout, research and reference assistance, and study space. Outside of the main student library there is a special collections department which is where most of the days tour was focused. Within the special collections is a book by Thomas Paine printed with hiatuses, chapbooks printed in the relative area, a Stamford Compendium of Geography in North America, and a Bible in the Romansch language which is spoken in a remote area of southeast Switzerland.

These are just a few examples of the gifts and purchases held in the special collection. If conservation is deemed necessary, the library approaches the individual donors of items for financial support as it can be very expensive. Special care is taken of these items and there is no conservation done in house and these items are of great historical value. I honestly had a moment of disbelief when I was able to touch a book signed by Benjamin Franklin, just knowing one of our Four Fathers had held it centuries ago. Those moments of connecting with history in a tangible way will be etched in my memory forever.

There were so many interesting elements to the Maughan Library. The censored Thomas Paine work which someone had hand written the missing text, the iconic round reading room modeled after the British Museum reading room, and the Shakespeare exhibition celebrating the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare's death. The exhibit was wonderful, but what I enjoyed the most was learning about what went into preparing and completing the project.

One of the library employees was charged with organizing the exhibit. He shared with us that it was his first exhibition to take the lead on. The obstacles they faced were mainly from what material would be featured. They consulted with the Kings College Archive and  supplemented the exhibit with objects other organizations loaned to them. Once the material was gathered they had to organize the display cases by subject and write the descriptions. This took an incredible amount of time researching, writing, proofreading, and printing. The final product was very interesting focusing on the sociological, political, writing style, and religious context of Shakespeare's time. This was a different area of librarianship that I had not been exposed to and I thoroughly enjoyed learning what working in a Special Collections department can entail.

The National Maritime Museum: Caird Library and Archive

Caird Library & Archive


It seems only fitting that to get to the National Maritime Museum I would be zipping along the Thames River on a commuter boat to Greenwich! It was a beautiful morning. Clear skies and just about the perfect temperature for time outdoors. It helped establish a tone for the day viewing library and archival material focusing on England's sailors and sea faring expeditions. I had not been to the museum prior to this visit and truthfully knew very little about the work that they do. It was another example of the diversity of the information profession and the records and material that are being maintained and preserved.

After being greeted by our guide our class was taken to a room within the museum where a brief explanation of the organization was shared with us. The Caird library and archive contains pamphlets, books and periodicals. The material ranges from rare books to contemporary items. The subject areas covered by the collection include information about the Merchant and Royal Navy, shipping companies, astronomy, and shipwrecks. The Caird staff are available to provide research assistance and material can be accessed by anyone as long as they have a readers ticket. There is physical and digitized material for research purposes. I was very interested in what kinds of records there would be for specific servicemen.

Our guide Stawell Heard provided background information for the archival material set out for our examination. One area represented from this sample of items was the documents and service records of a specific sailor. It was incredible to see the original paperwork from a different era so well preserved. I think it is very exciting, especially for people who have ancestors that served in the Merchant and Royal Navy. The Caird library and archive is an excellent resource for this kind of research. There are crew lists, voyage and vessel information, and certificates for masters', mates', and engineers. One feature of particular use is the copying center available in the library. While it is not free, it provides people with the ability to take information with them for further study after they leave the library.

I feel very fortunate to have been able to have a back stage pass to the archives during our visit. During our tour below where some of the most sensitive materials are stored we got to see where different staff access lists of items researchers request to view. Our guide through the archive, Librarian Penny Allen, shared valuable insights with our class about the role of a supervisor. She told us that she tries to do all of the tasks periodically whether they are within her job classification or below it. She stated that it is essential to know how to do everything when you are in a supervisory role, otherwise how can you expect it of your staff? It testament to valuing all aspects of work being done at the library, and a reaffirmation of something I believe to be vital to leadership.

The Royal Geographical Society

Royal Geographical Society

The Royal Geographical Society was founded in 1830.  Today there are 17,000 members and 2 million items in the societies collection. The map collection alone has 1 million items, most of them of areas where Britain was active. There are sketch maps drawn while in the field from the perspective of team members. The collection contains 4,000 atlases, various globes, half a million pictures, and 250,000 volumes in the book library. Our guide for the day, Librarian Eugene Rae, shared that the aim of the society library is to disseminate information as well as exchange information with other societies. The information is available to academics and researchers. 

My visit to the Royal Geographical Society was such an eye opening experience in terms of what the information profession encompasses. It was the first time I saw objects being preserved outside of a traditional museum setting. The work they are doing is something I had never expected to study during my time in an MLIS program. While books and maps are obviously included in the collection, they are by no means the only focus. Some of the most interesting items I was able to view were the physical objects used on expeditions.

The objects collection is the smallest collection containing 1,500 items. These items include scientific instruments such as sextants and compasses, instrument log books, and the personal gear of various explorers. Sadly, many of these objects were recovered after the explorers perished in their pursuit of conquering their chosen quest. One such explorer was John Franklin, sent on an expedition in 1840 to chart the Northwest Passage in the Canadian Arctic. Franklin and his crew were never heard from again and attempts to locate them were unsuccessful in the years following the ships disappearance. When later explorers finally located wreckage they recovered objects from aboard the ship, including food still preserved. I was able to actually see a biscuit and chocolate that traveled across the see in 1840!

Other objects include seal and reindeer Inuit boots, and a wooden sun visor used on an expedition in 1820. When expeditions were unsuccessful and went missing the society would send another team to find out what happened. Part of their work included bringing the bodies of their colleagues back when necessary. In the 1920's such an expedition was undertaken after two climbers went missing while attempting to reach the summit of Mt. Everest. George Mallory's body was found along with his altimeter, pen knife, goggles, monogrammed handkerchief, boot, and a tin of savory energy sweets. I was even able to smell the boot!Which sounds strange, I know. It was actually fascinating because you can still smell the distinct sent of the leather after almost 100 years and it having been frozen while on the mountain. It's just astounding to me to witness these elements of history. The care taken to preserve and then share these objects allow people to study and, I feel, relate more personally to the people who gave their lives in pursuit of knowledge.  

 

Barbican Library

Barbican Library

The Barbican Library was my first encounter with a public library in the United Kingdom. From the moment we stepped onto the second floor and stood in the lobby, I felt a sense of homecoming. Public Libraries are what I know, they are what I love. I am fascinated by every kind of library, but my current work is focused in this particular area. Outside in the lobby I immediately had to inspect the catalog computer, book drop, and fliers for library programs. They reminded me so much of home, and yet, they demonstrated the subtle differences of what other Library Systems offer their patrons. I was beyond ready to explore inside the Library.

Our tour guide Jonathon Gibbs, the IT and Operations manager didn't waste any time getting us going through the library. He gave us a background for the Library including how it is public lending library for the general public. One interesting fact out of many about this library is that it is located within the City of London which has its own set of rules. Within these rules I wanted to explore how this particular library compares to the public library I currently work in. I asked a high volume of questions, my curiosity getting the best of me. This is what I discovered.

The Barbican Library is located in the City of London. Before coming to London I had no idea that the City of London is governed separately. It is a city within a city if you will. The library is housed in the Barbican Art Center and has been open to the public since the center opened in 1982. It is one of 3 lending libraries in the City of London. The layout of the building creates a unique atmosphere because the floors that separate different portions of the center are not completely enclosed. When there are concerts the library is filled with the music. It's interesting because most people view a library as a quiet serene place. What I have found in my time working in one, and now visiting the Barbican, is that this expectation does not always fit very well with the activities and patronage of our facilities anymore. I was so excited to discover the similarities and differences between this location and my own branch.

The similarities made me feel almost like I was in some kind of alternate reality, one where I was in the British version of my current place of employment. Both libraries use self checkout technology, an Information desk rather than "Reference Desk", provide ebooks and audiobooks, digital magazines, and have similar organization schemes. The Dewey Decimal System is used for Non-fiction material while fiction is organized alphabetically by authors last name. Fiction material is also separated based on genre such as mystery, science fiction, and thriller. Both libraries provide internet access and printing to the public for a fee. Story times and children's programs are provided in a separate section at both facilities as well.

The differences were pretty minimal. The Barbican Library charges for DVD and CD checkouts whereas my library does not. Part of the non-fiction collection is separate from the dewey decimal classification because of the size. This was the third library I had been to that used that type of organization. The self check systems also have more capabilities than the ones used at my library. You can not only check items out, you have the option to make payments on the machines. Makerspace activities is not something the Barbican is participating in, but there is hope to incorporate this. It's mostly an issue of space and funding, as it is with so many libraries. One of the biggest differences is that the Barbican Library uses RFID, but like most things technological, it has its ups and downs. Despite the differences, I truly felt at home in this library and found it encouraging that despite an ocean between us, we have many of the same goals and practices.

British Library Conservation Centre

British Library Conservation Centre

The Conservation Centre is located within the British Library. This separate department is protected behind locked key card doors. The items within are priceless materials that staff are diligently working to preserve. I was amazed by the work they are currently doing. Being able to observe the process of piecing together a flag that has all but disintegrated, weave a binding in its original style, and manipulating the fibers of a vellum manuscript to repair a tear was fascinating. What was even more incredible is that each project is assigned to just one person. It makes sense in order to maintain consistency throughout the repairs, but is also seems like a formidable task with how many hours are involved in each project.

The conservation work being performed is incredibly diverse. Staff is specifically trained in conservation, but there are so many other skills that come into play for the different kinds of objects and materials that pass through the center. They work with fabric, vellum, parchment, string, and gelatin. What is all of this used for? The staff at the conservation center provides preventative care against issues such as temperature, humidity, pests, handling, and natural disasters. There is also scientific research done by chemists to investigate the deterioration of materials. Image specialists work with faded images and text. One of the biggest questions I had was how do they decide what merits conservation since the collection is so vast. The answer is that once a year they prioritize based on consultations with subject specialists. They discuss the condition of items as well as how unique they are. Basically they ask questions in order to choose what they will focus their
time and resources on.

One of their current projects is the restoration of a flag. The conservationist charged with resurrecting this once vibrant piece of cloth told us that 350 hours of work have been earmarked for this single item. To date she has been able to clean the long buried fragments of fabric and piece them back together like a puzzle. There are many sections missing due to deterioration. The plan is to use a pattern based off of a painting that features images of the flag. It's amazing to see what has been accomplished in terms of bringing something so damaged back to life. Once the surviving material is placed over the pattern they will be able to use other materials to supplement the gaps. Each step in the process is time intensive and requires a delicate touch. What struck me the most about this project is that there is a certain element of creative license the center must take. In order to repair, some brand new element has to be used and integrated into the original in order to strengthen or patch it back together. How this is accomplished is not always predetermined. The conservator has the task of preserving or recreating something in the most authentic way possible and that is truly amazing.

The British Museum Archives

The British Museum Archives

The British Museum was established in 1753. The origins of the museum lay in a bequest by Sir Hans Sloan who donated his collection of over 71,000 objects to King George II for the use of the nation. Included in his collection were manuscripts, natural specimens, books, and antiquities. After the bequest was accepted through an act of Parliament, the museum opened in 1759 at the Montagu House. The Montagu House was a mansion that sat on the grounds of the current site. It was later reconstructed into today’s building. The archives are housed below the ground floor of the museum where there are climate control measures in place to attempt to help with preservation. The archives hold the administrative records for the museum with only a small amount of information about the collection. Collection information is generally held by each department’s curatorial staff. The archive maintains the documentation about the workings of the Museum. 

One of the most interesting duties of the archivists work to me was that when there is a dispute about ownership of an item within the museum, it is their job to find the documentation to prove that it belongs within the museum. That is a tremendous undertaking in light of the past organization within the archives. There is so much work to be done examining and structuring the different materials currently living below the floors of the museum. It is like a maze with hidden treasure waiting to be discovered. Since 260 years went by without any cataloging, I have to wonder, how does one person start, and where? Well, our gracious host Francesca Hiller, explained to us that she has taken steps to create policies that will form a structure for how the collection will be organized from here on out. This will provide guidance for the work that needs to be done now, but more importantly, it will set up a standard for future acquisitions.

Another aspect of the museum and archives that was of particular interest to me was that all records are public. If someone were to request information the archives would have to supply it. This makes everything, the inner workings of the organization, transparent. There is a staggering amount of information contained in the boxes and bound volumes stacked and lining the shelves. I have to wonder what it would be like to have a request for a particular record or specific document, and have to dive into these records. For one, you may not always know exactly where the information is. Secondly, you have to decipher the script from different time periods. Every aspect seems to take a large amount of time, patience, and attention to detail. It is a position that includes working independently while investigating, organizing, and preserving material which I believe would be incredibly fulfilling.

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.

The Bodleian Library and Merton College

The Bodleian Library

Duke Humphrey's Library
Photo by David Iliff

One of the most astounding aspects of the Bodleian Library to me was its evolution. It has been through so many changes in regards to the physical construction of the buildings and what items are in the collection. Yet, when I stepped into the Duke Humphrey's Library, the Divinity School, Chancellor's Court, and Convocation House, I felt like I had been transported back in time. There were moments when I expected the next person to walk through the door to be in 15th century attire, ready to examine a manuscript. What struck me the most is that even though new technology is being incorporated into this facility and organization, there is a respect and appreciation for the origins of these rooms and buildings. It's not just the material that is being preserved.

When I found out we would be visiting the Bodleian I was immediately ecstatic. It is featured in one of my most recent favorite novels, and I spent so much time studying the descriptions in the book, trying to paint the most accurate picture in my head. I often found myself wondering if what I was reading was truly accurate to what students and faculty experience today. What I found is that yes, the borrowing policies and procedures for research studies were spot on, but I learned so much more about the actual function of the library. The most interesting part for me was the shelving system. Items are shelved by size.

This is the original system devised by Bodley. He felt that placing a small book next to a large book was a waste of space. Through the years cataloging has changed with different trends but it is now back to Bodley's system. What is even more interesting is that the books were shelved spine in. It boggles my mind to imagine a library full of books without the benefit of seeing the spine. This is my guide every day at work to finding what I need. The system in place was to number every book by painting it on the page edges facing out. A list was provided at the end of the shelves explaining what each number belonged to. What is different now from the origin of this system is that the catalog is accessible online. Today, the research library is not open access and the items are not available for checkout. If you want to utilize something within the library you must pre-order and your books will be taken to a work station for your use. I find myself constantly brought back to the thought that the library has come full circle back to Bodley's original design and there is a kind of poetry to that.

Merton College

The Merton College Upper Library sits above the Mob Quadrangle, the oldest quadrangle on Merton College Campus. When you ascend up the narrow staircase and emerge in the historic L shaped room, it’s easy to believe that this library is the oldest continuous use library in the world. At a glance, it appears as though students from a different age have momentarily stepped away from their study space, but could walk in at any moment. The wooden bookshelves, tiled floors, chained books, and crests on the wall imprinted on my mind just how long this space has been preserved for the use of sharing information. It was interesting to see the objects displayed in the Upper Library, some in cases but many of them sitting freely without a defined protective barrier. These objects include Thomas Bodley’s funeral helm, a baptismal font gifted by Alexander I, and navigational tools such as an astrolabe.

One of my questions was about the actual use the Upper Library receives from students. As most of the texts appeared to be quite old, I wondered about procedures for use. I was informed that while the library is still in use, its purpose is mainly for students studying the history of books. The focus is not so much on what is in the text, but the physical aspect of the text itself. After hearing this I took a closer look at several of the volumes and discovered that the books are actually chained to the shelf. The purpose as I’m sure most people can guess, theft protection. I always seem to evaluate the actions of the past in terms of what I know today about the library system I currently work in. The way things have evolved. That chain signifies to me the practice of putting special strips in our library materials that when removed from the building without checking out properly, set off an alarm at the exit. From chains to tiny almost undetectable pieces of plastic, some goals of the library remain the same through the ages. This is one of the reasons that I know, even when people question how change affects our organizations in terms of technology, that we grow and change with it. Libraries evolve, and we will always have a place in this world.

Victoria and Albert Museum- National Art Library

The National Art Library is housed in the Victoria and Albert Museum. It is a public research library and is the curatorial department for art, design of the book, and craft within the Museum. The library collection contains more than a million items and has a catalogue of 750,000 records. Every year the library hosts about 30,000 visitors ranging from art and design students, genealogists, and independent researchers. The reading and centre rooms are where users can sign in and access the general collection. They are the only areas that the public have access to. Items are not available for loan outside of the library as this is a closed access facility. Most items can be requested through the online catalog prior to visiting the library. There is a limit of 8 items at one time. There are online databases and journals such as JSTOR, Art Sales Index, and Art Full Text that are availiable onsite at the library. Material can be scanned onto a USB flashdrive but there is not printing onsite.

The library's collections include a wide range of material covering various subject matter. There are rare books, medieval manuscripts, written correspondence, fine binding, and early printed works to name just a few. The NAL has acquired collections from individuals who had hand picked the items for their personal library. The items within these collections are of extreme value and include original works by Charles Dickens, a Shakespeare First Folio, poems by Keats, notebooks by Leonardo Davinci, and letters by Charles I. Needless to say, these are extremely valuable items that need the utmost care when being handled. The rarest of items are kept in a vault and are generally not seen.

Our tour guide explained the proper way to to remove a book from the shelf, a lesson we had also recieved from Mr. Wisdom of the of the St. Paul's Cathedral Library. Both presenters had identical technique. We were also able to observe the defferent elements of preserving and presenting material. For certain items, large pillows or cushions are used to support the item while on display. If an object or item will be on display, special supports are created, and straps are used to hold items in place in order to keep them secure. When items are not in use, books go in archival boxes and pamphlets or papers go in envelopes specially designed for the purpose of protecting the material.

The National Art Library was my first encounter with the preserved works of some of my literary idols. To sit in a room while the self edited papers of Charles Dickens are being presented, to view one of Shakespeare's first folio's delicately propped on a pillow, was so fantastically surreal it's still hard to believe. It was fascinating to see the high level of self criticism evident throughout the Dickens manuscripts, especially where the author would decisively strike out various words or sections. There was something about examining the loops and swirls of his handwriting that made me feel like I was getting an intimate view of the man, not just his work. I think that had a profound affect on my perspective of the work the librarians do at the NAL. They are preserving something that provides a backstory to the work of some of literature's greatest minds.

Along with the rare books, art, and documents in the NAL's varied collection is the surprising addition of the Harry Potter novels. It is not just one set either. There are different publications and formats of the seven novels. The purpose is to preserve the various editions, not for the sake of the text,  but the different cover art. I thought it was very interesting that these would be included, but appreciate the recognition that such a highly influential series is being prioritized for future value. It was one of the many aspects of the NAL that I found interesting and unexpected. The scope of their collection is very diverse, which demonstrates the idea that art is not just paintings and sculptures. There are many forms and this facility preserves them so that students of any background can continue to learn from this collection.

St. Paul's Cathedral Library

St. Paul's Cathedral

St. Paul's Cathedral- The Library

I began my library adventures in a truly spectacular fashion. Our first destination was the library of the awe inspiring St. Paul's Cathedral. The library is housed above the ground floor of the cathedral. Access is gained by way of a spiral staircase with shallow steps, that taken at a steady pace has the potential to make your head spin. Then again, the same head spin could be a result of being surrounded by such history and beauty. When you reach the top you enter into a small room with a vaulted ceiling. Once you exit the room you walk through a passage with exposed beams, your heels clicking on the hardwood floors that separate you from the visitors and the devout below on the Cathedral floor. As we make our way at a brisk pace to the library, we pass by the work of William Blake Richmond titled "Eve Among the Beasts" circa 1891. While I'm still gawping at this mosaic of glass pieces, we come upon Romanesque fragments that were salvaged from prior fires. A brief pause to take this in, then we are outside the doors to what to me was like stepping through the wardrobe into Narnia, the Library of St. Paul's.

Once inside I was immediately struck by the aesthetics of the room. Our guide and Librarian for St. Paul's, the dynamic Mr. Joseph Wisdom, explained that symmetry had been incorporated into the construction of the room by Sir Christopher Wren when he rebuilt the Cathedral after The Great Fire of London. Most of the libraries collection was lost in this fire, completely depleting access to theological texts. A committee was created in order to rebuild the collection. The Commissioners for rebuilding St. Paul's began to rebuild the collection, purchasing liturgical material and bibles. In 1712 Bishop Henry Compton gave the library almost 2,000 volumes to help restore the collection.  The library is still a working theological library today.

Sir Christopher Wren

I found our time with Mr. Wisdom (an apropos name as I've ever encountered for someone of his knowledge base) to be less about the past, and more about the future of the library. It was an interesting development as I was expecting more of a historical context during our visit. He took the time to discuss the very relevant topic of digitization and physical materials. When he asked our opinion of electronic texts and reading devices, I felt almost hesitant to divulge my great love of e-publications. It felt almost like a betrayal in such a historic room surrounded by beautiful bound volumes. I was surprised when Mr. Wisdom stated that one format does not outrank the other. It felt like a reaffirmation that though we all as library lovers may have a preference, it is important to see the value in all forms of text.

Discussing digital material led us to the topic of digitization of material in the Catherdral library collection. Mr. Wisdom shared with us that very few texts and artifacts have been digitized cover to cover. He brought up the very valid point that there is a disparity in what you get from the original as opposed to the replica that is the new digital version. There is also the issue of not having the time or resources to digitize everything. A matter of concern is the preservation of physical materials because of issues such as acidic paper, but the question becomes "should we save everything?" For now, measures of preservation are taken such as set RH levels of 45 to 55% and a temperature of 16 to 18 degrees centigrade (60-64 degrees F).

We were also taught the proper way to remove a book from the shelf in order to avoid damage: You must push in the volumes on either side, grab the sides of the binding and pull out while supporting the book at the bottom. These are a few ways that physical materials are being protected while a select few items are being digitized. The collection holds printed books, manuscripts, and texts. One of my favorite things that Mr. Wisdom reminded us of is that "knowledge is there in a variety of formats". You are still able to derive information from things without text in a similar manner to reading a book. I think we can forget that sometimes, and it's important to recognize that there are so many vessels of information that should be acknowledged.