Exploring British Librarianship Continued from Page 6
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
60081 AALL Spectrum.Nov 12/15/99 10:20 AM Page 6 Radcliffe Camera (part of Bodleian Library). Stephanie Papa n May 16, 1999, 20 librarians, one professor describes it, “Origins including myself, descended explain how something works. That’s O upon Oxford, England, for why we are always looking back at how a two-week seminar on “Libraries & things were done in the past before Librarianship: Past, Present, Future.” moving ahead with new ideas.” This Sponsored by the University of North concept can be seen in all aspects of Carolina at Chapel Hill and the Bodleian British life. Whether it is finding locations Library (the central library of Oxford in older libraries to place electrical outlets University), our group met to learn about for laptop computers or integrating the the profession and, in the words of David Oxford University college libraries into Vaisey, Bodleian Librarian Emeritus, “to one unified system, many years are spent give us an overview of Oxford University on researching how things were done in and how they do things here so we can the past and how this new idea fits into get a better insight into ourselves, our the overall scheme, then publishing jobs, and librarianship in general.” a lengthy, detailed findings report before Most of us came from East Coast states, any action is taken. but some were from as far as California, The best example of Oregon, Minnesota, and even Budapest, Hungary. Our professional backgrounds were just as this diverse. The majority were can be academic librarians (and a found in the few students earning credits for area of computer their Master’s degrees), but there technology. were also librarians from a law CD-ROMs, Online library, public library, seminary Catalogues, Exploring library, a museum library, and even an Digital Imaging— Indian Reservation Library. With such a the British are very mix of people, we learned just as much knowledgeable about what British from each other as we did from the technology is available, what direction British during the course. it is moving towards in the future, and Librarianship After starting with a tour of the city of even how Americans are using it in their Oxford and its history, we settled into a libraries today. Yet, they are slow to incorporate this technology into their daily by Stephanie Papa routine of lectures, coffee or tea breaks, and the eagerly anticipated library tours. routine or to give up their traditional ways All aspects of librarianship were covered. of doing things. We began with a historical background tour and lecture on the University of Library Tours Oxford and the Bodleian Library as a While these lectures were informative, basis of comparison to the the highlight of the seminar proved to be American systems. Then the library tours. We signed pledges to we met and listened not “mark, deface, or injure” the books to Directors, Chief and to not “kindle therein any fire or Executives, and flame” as we were sworn into the other noted Bodleian Library. This gave us access to British the Reading Rooms and materials of one librarians who of the oldest libraries in Europe (1602). were experts We explored the underground, moveable in the fields bookshelves, pondered the intricacies of of academic the library’s shelf mark filing system, and and public watched the conveyor belt book retrieval libraries, system in action. S t e cataloguing, p We spent a day in London having behind h a n preservation i e the scenes tours of the British Library and P a and conser- p the Welcome Institute for the History of a vation, rare books Medicine Library. The Welcome Institute and manuscripts, treated us to a luncheon buffet, where we oriental and western mingled with the curators of the various manuscripts, information collections. Merton College (the oldest One side of the technology, and reader services. Bodleian Library college in Oxford), All Souls College (Law quadrangle— When comparing the two systems, we Library), Rhodes House, and Worcester reading rooms are found the main difference to be what the College, places usually unavailable to below the spires. British call their “burden of history.” As anyone but university students, all opened continued on page 8 6 AALL Spectrum November 1999 60081 AALL Spectrum.Nov 12/15/99 10:20 AM Page 8 Exploring British Librarianship continued from page 6 their doors and libraries for us to visit. a chance to talk to several of its Americans what they have accomplished, All Souls College Library was particularly representatives. Blackwells also held a what they are working on now, and in impressive with its long book-lined hallway, dinner in our honor the first week, with what direction they are heading in the at the far end of a cocktail hour and a future. While many of the activities and which is a statue four-course meal. future plans are similar to ours, they are of Sir William implemented within the context of The British were proud Blackstone, a former 400 years of tradition and history. After to have us there and did student, contributor spending time immersed in this cultural their best to prove it. to the university, way of life, 20 American librarians went The biggest event was a and author of the home with a different perspective on the welcoming reception in the famous Blackstone’s relative need for change and a deeper Divinity School, hosted by Commentaries on understanding of their own contributions the Bodleian Library. More the Laws of England. to the library world. Oxford, a city richly than 400 staff members steeped in history, was the perfect setting and other members of Visits to to explore the history of libraries and the Oxford community, Publishers librarianship. including authors and Two of the most professors, greeted the Anyone interested in information on the notable British American librarians under next seminar (May 21–June 3, 2000) publishing companies the hallowed roof of this should contact: School of Information and allowed our ancient 17th century Library Science, CB # 3360, Manning group into their building. British and Hall, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599-3360; headquarters as Americans joined together 919/962-8366; e-mail: oxford@ils. well. Oxford to share a glass of wine unc.edu; or Web: www.ils.unc.edu/ils/ University Press and a tale or two of life continuing_edu/oxford. gave us a history Stephanie Papa and work in the library Stephanie Papa ([email protected]) of the OED as well The visiting librarians stopped for field. as a look at its refreshments at the first-floor cafe in is Associate Law Librarian at the Baltimore University Church. museum and library. Tradition County Circuit Court Law Library in Blackwells invited us and History Towson, Maryland. to a luncheon, where we received a Over the course of two weeks, the demonstration of its online services and British eagerly and proudly showed the EBSCO 1/2 page ad new film 8 AALL Spectrum November 1999.