I used to go to the reading rooms to work (I’m freelance / fully remote so on the days I had cabin fever it was nice to feel a part of something). Now I live a long way from London and have romanticised the BL and my days spent there. Thank you for reminding me it’s actually a bit shit ❤️
I once made the mistake of visiting the BL whilst my husband was doing something else nearby. I made the rookie mistake of asking at reception if they had any books and I could just sit and read for an hour. Had to have it explained to me that the BL doesn't offer that service.
I ordered something at the BL last autumn which turned out to be in the rare books room. I can recommend the quiet in there as long as you don’t mind being surrounded by people looking at eighteenth century pornography.
I abandoned using the silent study rooms on the silent study floor of my local uni library, following many episodes of having to ask kids to be quiet in, you know, the silent study rooms, when some girls used one to do their make up. They synced their laptops with their phones so they could FaceTime themselves doing so, and Sat there giggling the whole time. It might have been the sight of the eyebrow curlers which was the final straw.
Having worked in the old one, where you didn't dare cough (& couldn't get a seat) I found the new reading rooms infuriating. Too many stage whispers. And even the librarians weren't quiet! I can't afford the London Library any more, but the last time I was there, it was civilised.
For the stockbroker Surrey dwellers amongst us - RHS Wisley has a library. I’ve not been in cos I’m always been with children - but looking in through the windows it is FULL of well behaved olds and looks gloriously silent.
Never been to the present British Library but used the old one in the British Museum as a student which was always fascinating... first you had a to get a reader's card (prove why you HAD to be admitted) then you got to sit in the fabulous old round reading room in the British Museum, surrounded by a mixture of younger academics and ancient academics - I remember one who looked very much like Karl Marx and spent most of the day either sleeping on the book open in front of him, scrabbling in his bag for papers, or eating fox's glacier mints... also, you had to wait to have your books brought out of the stacks, which you could kind of glimpse through low doorways - very intriguing. strong AS Byatt/Possession feeling about the whole thing....
Just read it! - what an amazing job (although as you say, probably not ideal if you're 21) truly stuffed with extraordinary characters, as you say. the cloaked fairground pamphlet expert sounds intriguing...
I could not love this more, and as someone who works remotely and toys with the idea of going to work from the library on days when I don't have many calls, thank you for the blistering reassurance that it's an absurd idea and to remain in the house.
When I was on day two of my labour at UCH giving birth to our son, my husband took himself off to the British Library for ‘some peace’. He said it was only slight less chaotic than the labour ward.
I have said this before, I think - but when I had loads of admin to do I went to The Mossy Well in Muswell. Upstairs is a quiet haven in the daytime, with plugs and a hot drinks machine. You pay for one coffee and can sit there all day. Not at all posh, but very North London.
The biggest problem with the much vaunted reading rooms is that you cannot take water inside. Which is fine for someone who does not need to drink water as often as a baby bird or hamster. So every 20 mins I go for a sip from the piddly water fountain and every 40 mins I go to the toilet which means I average about 10 mins of work… a day
Love this. Mostly because I've never been to the 'new' one. My first job was in the old one and I'm not sure I've ever recovered
I used to go to the reading rooms to work (I’m freelance / fully remote so on the days I had cabin fever it was nice to feel a part of something). Now I live a long way from London and have romanticised the BL and my days spent there. Thank you for reminding me it’s actually a bit shit ❤️
The secret is The South Asian and African Rooms also Manuscripts
I once made the mistake of visiting the BL whilst my husband was doing something else nearby. I made the rookie mistake of asking at reception if they had any books and I could just sit and read for an hour. Had to have it explained to me that the BL doesn't offer that service.
I ordered something at the BL last autumn which turned out to be in the rare books room. I can recommend the quiet in there as long as you don’t mind being surrounded by people looking at eighteenth century pornography.
I abandoned using the silent study rooms on the silent study floor of my local uni library, following many episodes of having to ask kids to be quiet in, you know, the silent study rooms, when some girls used one to do their make up. They synced their laptops with their phones so they could FaceTime themselves doing so, and Sat there giggling the whole time. It might have been the sight of the eyebrow curlers which was the final straw.
Having worked in the old one, where you didn't dare cough (& couldn't get a seat) I found the new reading rooms infuriating. Too many stage whispers. And even the librarians weren't quiet! I can't afford the London Library any more, but the last time I was there, it was civilised.
For the stockbroker Surrey dwellers amongst us - RHS Wisley has a library. I’ve not been in cos I’m always been with children - but looking in through the windows it is FULL of well behaved olds and looks gloriously silent.
I went to the British Library for a speed dating event once. Never. Again. Never. Ever. Again.
Never been to the present British Library but used the old one in the British Museum as a student which was always fascinating... first you had a to get a reader's card (prove why you HAD to be admitted) then you got to sit in the fabulous old round reading room in the British Museum, surrounded by a mixture of younger academics and ancient academics - I remember one who looked very much like Karl Marx and spent most of the day either sleeping on the book open in front of him, scrabbling in his bag for papers, or eating fox's glacier mints... also, you had to wait to have your books brought out of the stacks, which you could kind of glimpse through low doorways - very intriguing. strong AS Byatt/Possession feeling about the whole thing....
Yes, there were some real eccentrics. Including the staff. I hardly ever write on here, but my last post is about working there when I was 21.
Just read it! - what an amazing job (although as you say, probably not ideal if you're 21) truly stuffed with extraordinary characters, as you say. the cloaked fairground pamphlet expert sounds intriguing...
I’d love it now! But only in its old fusty, dusty incarnation. Yes, Mr Fairground didn't seem to do much. But he wasn't the only one 🤔😬
A friend of mine claimed that people just stayed there 24/7, & the staff dusted them.in the morning.
https://www.thelondonarchives.org/visit-us
Little-known but brilliant place, with quiet study areas.
interesting
Read this with a wave of relief and it also really made me laugh. Thank you for the generous intel and leave to remain at the kitchen table.
as you were
I could not love this more, and as someone who works remotely and toys with the idea of going to work from the library on days when I don't have many calls, thank you for the blistering reassurance that it's an absurd idea and to remain in the house.
When I was on day two of my labour at UCH giving birth to our son, my husband took himself off to the British Library for ‘some peace’. He said it was only slight less chaotic than the labour ward.
I have said this before, I think - but when I had loads of admin to do I went to The Mossy Well in Muswell. Upstairs is a quiet haven in the daytime, with plugs and a hot drinks machine. You pay for one coffee and can sit there all day. Not at all posh, but very North London.
The biggest problem with the much vaunted reading rooms is that you cannot take water inside. Which is fine for someone who does not need to drink water as often as a baby bird or hamster. So every 20 mins I go for a sip from the piddly water fountain and every 40 mins I go to the toilet which means I average about 10 mins of work… a day