A Life In Libraries
Mar. 22nd, 2009 04:01 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
rhythmaningThere was a fairly depressing article in today's The Observer about libraries and the erosion of both their collections and their place in British society.
I like libraries, although i must admit I haven't been in a library for perhaps five years. Libraries have played an important part in my life, since I was first taken to the library at primary school: a crocodile of small children meandering down the street – the street where I lived, indeed – to a the children's library housed next to the building renowned for being Keats' house. My mother took me there as well and, later, I would go by myself on my way home from secondary school.
Our home was full of books – my father worked in publishing, there were books everywhere, piles on tables and on the stairs as they migrate from one room to another; we even had a copy of the Children's Britannica, which I would sit and read, A through to Z; all these books, but I still used the library as a child, avidly. I used to do my homework in the library sometimes, sitting in the reference section, books scattered on the table.
As well as the small local library, I would go to the larger library at Swiss Cottage, pictured in Rachel Cooke's article, a large 1960s building designed by Basil Spence. It was next door to the swimming pool, and I would combine trips to the pool and library – the library second, of course to stop the books getting damp...
My school had a library too, and I knew all the stock – where to find the things I wanted. You could say I was a bookish kid.
I used several libraries as a student. My college had a library, where I would sit and write essays when i needed to concentrate more than my hifi would allow. There was the departmental library; and I had a section of the science library where I could hide away between the shelves of journals and explore my subject.
As a graduate student I also used several different libraries. Mostly I went to the library in the Royal Botanic Gardens, since I was affiliated with the garden and it was near my flat. I would visit on a Friday, see my supervisor, and sit in the library, reading erudite journals that were nothing to do with my area but which fascinated me nonetheless. I also worked at the National Library of Scotland; I can't remember why – possibly because some papers I needed could only be found there, although what I actually remember doing is writing letters to a girl I had a crush on.
I love libraries; not just for the books – although they help – but as places to go, to sit and think; I love noise – my radio or CD player or ipod is always on at home – but sometimes one needs a bit of peace.
I rarely use libraries now. When I did my masters degree a few years ago, I got back into the habit of using the university and departmental libraries, although many of the papers I needed were online rather than in bound journals. I haven't been to a library in the last five years, and maybe I should make an effort to change that: when I move to London next month, I shall be near the library I first went to; perhaps I should go and explore it again, sit in the library writing. [Actually, thinking about it, this might be a really good idea – especially if I don't sort out my broadband connection.]
I like libraries, although i must admit I haven't been in a library for perhaps five years. Libraries have played an important part in my life, since I was first taken to the library at primary school: a crocodile of small children meandering down the street – the street where I lived, indeed – to a the children's library housed next to the building renowned for being Keats' house. My mother took me there as well and, later, I would go by myself on my way home from secondary school.
Our home was full of books – my father worked in publishing, there were books everywhere, piles on tables and on the stairs as they migrate from one room to another; we even had a copy of the Children's Britannica, which I would sit and read, A through to Z; all these books, but I still used the library as a child, avidly. I used to do my homework in the library sometimes, sitting in the reference section, books scattered on the table.
As well as the small local library, I would go to the larger library at Swiss Cottage, pictured in Rachel Cooke's article, a large 1960s building designed by Basil Spence. It was next door to the swimming pool, and I would combine trips to the pool and library – the library second, of course to stop the books getting damp...
My school had a library too, and I knew all the stock – where to find the things I wanted. You could say I was a bookish kid.
I used several libraries as a student. My college had a library, where I would sit and write essays when i needed to concentrate more than my hifi would allow. There was the departmental library; and I had a section of the science library where I could hide away between the shelves of journals and explore my subject.
As a graduate student I also used several different libraries. Mostly I went to the library in the Royal Botanic Gardens, since I was affiliated with the garden and it was near my flat. I would visit on a Friday, see my supervisor, and sit in the library, reading erudite journals that were nothing to do with my area but which fascinated me nonetheless. I also worked at the National Library of Scotland; I can't remember why – possibly because some papers I needed could only be found there, although what I actually remember doing is writing letters to a girl I had a crush on.
I love libraries; not just for the books – although they help – but as places to go, to sit and think; I love noise – my radio or CD player or ipod is always on at home – but sometimes one needs a bit of peace.
I rarely use libraries now. When I did my masters degree a few years ago, I got back into the habit of using the university and departmental libraries, although many of the papers I needed were online rather than in bound journals. I haven't been to a library in the last five years, and maybe I should make an effort to change that: when I move to London next month, I shall be near the library I first went to; perhaps I should go and explore it again, sit in the library writing. [Actually, thinking about it, this might be a really good idea – especially if I don't sort out my broadband connection.]
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Date: 2009-03-22 05:14 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-03-22 09:31 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-03-22 08:59 pm (UTC)*I use the station there to get from where I live to Hampstead - most convenient way
no subject
Date: 2009-03-22 09:29 pm (UTC)I love the little train!