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British Library

Posted by Katrin on March 29th, 2007 — Posted in Literature

I have been away for quite some time now. Not really physically away, but writing your final thesis takes its toll… Life turns out to be quite unexciting when you are hiding behind your desk, trying to make some sense out of the 50 books you have just read and not being intimidated about the next 50 to come. Most of my time I have spent at the British Library. A lifesaver if you ask me! Pick the tiniest subject (believe me I had one) and they will still have most of the books you need. Or if you want to look at old and rare books, this is certainly the place to go. Besides all this the British Library is an architectural site in itself.

I loved going there as it felt like going to work in a stylish environment, rather than getting stuck in a mouldy and musty place stuffed with old books.If you happen to be in the area, I recommend a quick look inside. In order to use the reading rooms you need to get a readers pass, but the entrance is free. Already the first step into the Library is quite impressive as you find yourself in a huge hall. Have a look at the beautiful square glass pillar in the back. Behind the glass you see rows and rows of books and it actually does serve as storing room: The staff can enter the pillar, shift the shelves and take out the books that have been ordered.

A few steps down the stairs will lead you to my favourite site. It is a picture of rows of shelves filled with books, but as you walk past it you realise that it is moving with you, leaving you with the impression that you actually are walking past these shelves and not just past a picture.

Although it does not take long to figure out why this is the case I couldn’t help but look at it every time I passed it. Makes you feel a bit dizzy though…

British Library
St Pancras
96 Euston Road
London NW1 2DB
Opening Times
Look it up on the map

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