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British Library like a branch of Starbooks say the literati
Danny Brierley21 Apr 2008
As a haven for scholarly research, the reputation of the Reading Room of the British Library is second to none. The original room was where Karl Marx honed his revolutionary theory, where Charles Dickens polished his prose and generations of writers - from George Bernard Shaw to Virginia Woolf - have escaped to work in studious tranquillity.
But it has now been overtaken by frappuccino drinking students giggling with their friends, playing on laptops and texting their mates.
Prominent authors including Lady Antonia Fraser and Claire Tomalin complained today that two years since the Reading Room was opened to undergraduates and anyone working on research it has become woefully oversubscribed, with long queues, and a lack of chairs and rooms because of overcrowding.
Ms Tomalin said: "It is absurd. It's access gone mad. Access has many good points, but making the British Library, which was for specialist readers, into something for general readers, seems to me terrible."
Fellow historian Tristram Hunt said: "It's a 'groovy place' to meet for a frappuccino. It's noisy and it's undermining both the British Library's function, as books take longer to get."
Phil Spence, the British Library's director of operations and services, said: "We understand that busy periods can be frustrating for readers but we are dedicated to delivering excellent services and carefully managing the increase in reader numbers during vacation periods."
Lady Antonia Fraser said: "I had to queue for 20 minutes to get in, in freezing weather. Then I queued to leave my coat for 20 minutes. Then half an hour to get my books and another 15 minutes to get my coat.
"I'm told it's due to students having access now. Why can't they go to their university libraries? It's become a social gathering."
Reader views (3)
I am very glad that prominent writers and researchers are registering their concerns in the public domain. I have been most concerned to observe increasing numbers of undergraduates using the BL Reading Rooms. I recall something similar happening with Reading Rooms at the National Library of Scotland over ten years ago. Then, undergraduates used the NLS to gain access to copies of standard texts that were over-subscribed in the University Library which is a problem for University course administrators to resolve. I am extremely concerned to have observed that the BL is crowded with undergraduates particularly during peak periods prior to exams. Thre is no discernible need for undergraduates to use a library of the BL's calibre given that they have automatic access to University libraries, many of which are perfectly good and geared to their needs. It is not even the case that the vast majority of dissertation students, even at Masters level, could possibly need to use the library in person: they can order a certain amount of books via the BL's Boston Spa lending operation. Doctoral students may require a reader's ticket, but surely any other registered student at University should be using their University's library resources. The BL is a public research library: over-use by undergraduates, which I have observed, may mean that independent researchers are denied access. Independent researchers would have to pay to access University library resources.
- Marian Harrison, London, UK, 31/07/2009 11:32
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I actually agree with Lady Antonia Fraser. The British library is a national treasure and the management who have allowed the reading rooms to be over subscribed are affecting the standing the of the BL and the work of proper researchers and writers. There is a strong possibility this will become a sacking issue. Sort it out or the BL will be getting new management next year. Take this advice from a very grumpy occultist....
- Sebastian, Brent, 21/04/2008 17:46
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I have never read so much rubbish in my life. I use the BL a lot and its never a problem. As for Lady F waiting for 20 minutes to get in; simply turn up at 9:30 and not 9:10, its not rocket science. I just think that there a few snobs out there. I am not a student but a 46 year old writer. It's great that the BL is no longer the preserve of the few.
- Evan Mcgilvray, Leeds, UK, 21/04/2008 14:41
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