7.0096 Rs: Library Privileges (2/55)
Elaine Brennan (EDITORS@BROWNVM.BITNET)
Tue, 20 Jul 1993 19:02:57 EDT
Humanist Discussion Group, Vol. 7, No. 0096. Tuesday, 20 Jul 1993.
(1) Date: Wed, 14 Jul 1993 22:13:48 -0500 (EDT) (15 lines)
From: mccarty@epas.utoronto.ca (W. McCarty)
Subject: thinking ahead
(2) Date: 15 Jul 1993 07:53:50 -0600 (MDT) (40 lines)
From: DIANA PATTERSON <DPATTERSON@mtroyal.ab.ca>
Subject: Library Access Privileges (was Cambridge)
(1) --------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Wed, 14 Jul 1993 22:13:48 -0500 (EDT)
From: mccarty@epas.utoronto.ca (W. McCarty)
Subject: thinking ahead
Mr. Graham of Rutgers, in his response to my request for assistance on
behalf of a friend, is of course correct: one should plan ahead.
Libraries must protect their collections, even access to which is a
privilege we tend to take for granted. The fame of the Cambridge
library, widely known for its ease of access, and our own liberal
policies here at Toronto, perhaps misled my friend. To the others
who were able to see beyond his error and offer helpful advice
I offer my thanks.
Willard McCarty
(2) --------------------------------------------------------------56----
Date: 15 Jul 1993 07:53:50 -0600 (MDT)
From: DIANA PATTERSON <DPATTERSON@mtroyal.ab.ca>
Subject: Library Access Privileges (was Cambridge)
Let me second Peter Graham's comments, and encourage Willard to remonstrate
with his friend.
Not being the Vice-Chancellor of the University, I still managed to get
privileges at Bodley to go into the rare book stacks, but it took a week, and
a meeting of the directors. Naturally I could not take out any rare books.
But with sufficient preparation and credentials I even managed to rummage the
uncatalogued books. Preparedness is all.
But I may also say that I am with Bodley on its policy of not lending. When I
arrived for a second year at St. Hugh's College, knowing that my room should
be empty, I was astonished to find two volumes of books there printed in an
eastern language I could not read, and marked Indian Institute. As a
responsible bibliographer, I returned the books to the Indian Institute, and
was astonished at the remonstrance _I_ received for my efforts. Of course the
anger was really being vented on my predecessor in the guest room at St
Hugh's--and should I ever catch her or him, I too shall give a grand
remonstrance. Borrowing from any Bodley library is a rare privilege, and here
some goof had ruined for him or herself, but had probably returned to India
carefree--but some other more reliable soul would be given even harder
restrictions.
Sure, I like to read in bed, but reading in a library is not bad. Although I
have to admit that the most miserable library experience I have ever had has
been in CUL, where I did not manage to dry out from the pooring rain in 8
hours in that library! Still, it has food laid on, and open stacks. Using a
collection of good books is a privilege, not a right.
P.S. Peter's comment about Toronto is certainly correct.
Self-righteously,
Diana Patterson
Bibliographer & good citizen
Mt Royal College
Calgary, Alberta
DPatterson@MtRoyal.AB.CA