Cambridge university will celebrate its 800th year in a couple of years. Somehow, all the accumulated pre-”digital age” bureaucracy seems to have stuck without much regard to how easy things can be made using what’s called “modern technology.” Sometimes charming, often annoying when you are in a hurry to get things done. No one likes extra bureaucracy.
(note to Helen: You’ll love this one :)
I wanted to check out a book from the great University of Cambridge Library, a landmark of this town with a grand tower that can be seen from afar. In order to gain access to it, I needed to appear in person, student ID at hand… and… the original official letter of acceptance to the university. Now, one would think that I appear as a student on the “network” somewhere, but no, I had to bring a hard copy. From my first visit, when I was refused access (well, they still let me in as a favor, without checkout rights) and informed proper procedures to the time I actually got my act together and produced all evidence… 4 months. But now I really wanted a book. So, finally, I brought the letter and was admitted to the library. Goal #1 accomplished.
I thought the rest would be easy, as I have obtained the classmark (they don’t use the Dewey Decimal Classification, as it was only invented in 1876)… but no. I headed for the “reading room” where I was politely explained the procedure of getting to the sought after book (the explanation came after someone noticed me standing there dumbfounded for a couple of minutes.) Here it is:
1. You take a green form and fill in your details (including physical and email addresses, the classmark and some other bit of information including how many times you had a carrot in the last 48 hours.)
2. Put green form in a little box.
3. Note little sign with a number on it that tells you how many minutes you’ll need to wait for the book to be retrieved for you and be left in a shelf on the other side of the desk. The sign always says “45″.
4. Wait, well, 45 minutes and come back for the book.
No. I waited next to the shelf and it arrived 25 minutes later. I felt a small inner victory that quickly faded away as I realized the complete disregard to my precious time and the fact that I had to fill in my private details on yet another form, whereabouts and use unknown. Wait, it’s not over. I then needed to go to the main counter and officially check the book out. I got out to the fresh air thinking…
Cambridge is a special place.
Oh I do love it. Especially the part about not using the Dewey Decimal System as it was only invented in the recent past. And of course they would not use the Library of Congress System either. I wonder what system they do use. Can you get a sheet with the classmark numbers on it and scan it and send it to my email? No hurry – maybe when you return your book, which better be on time – or else!
What are the consequences of not getting it back in time? Thumbscrews? The Rack? The dreaded Iron Maiden? Did you read the fine print on all those forms?
Out of curiosity, are you able to determine how cutting edge the library collection is in your line of study? One can visualize ancient and hugely valuable texts, but not up to the minute publications. I take it the place is laid out in reading rooms with the book collections behind closed doors – very unlike public school and public libraries here where most of the books are on shelves available for browsing – and which the patron has to find himself. I think some University libraries in the US are laid out in the reading room model – though SJSU was not set up that way when I went there. What about UCSC?
Do they have an electronic card catalog? Or do they have any variety of card catalogs at all?
When I was at Cal-Berkeley in the early 90′s, I was enthralled by their library system that could let you browse books that were upwards of 200 years old (with no cumberson retrieval process!). I pulled out old textbooks from the 1800s with notes in the margins, and would often spend hours in there looking for the oldest books I could find. I can only imagine what you could get at the Cambridge libraries! It really is fun, and is probably as close to a time machine as we’re ever likely to have.
Sympathize with you. The old procedure doesn’t change much with the modern time. Some people like to call it “tradition” of Cambridge, while others name it “bereaucracy”. Who is right and who is wrong? Only time can tell.
What book were you checking out? Encryption methods of the Teutonic Knights?
Is this the Joe K.??? How have you been???
close, but not quite :)
Here’s the short story… I picked up Cryptonomicon. 900 pages of fine fiction. really good book. got frustrated that I’m such a damn slow reader. mentioned it to someone (if this is the Joe K. you know him, initials JJ, working for the X). he recommended “Breakthrough Speed Reading” by Peter Kump. That’s the book I was after.
Been good.
Let me know if that speedreading guide works for you.
I really hate reading, always have.
haha when I was at University of Glasgow, we had to do the same thing. Gotta love the Brits…
I found your library escapade fascinating, Saar, mostly because it reminded me of al the bureaukratyah that one has to deal with in Israel for seemingly mundane, simple tasks. I trust this may bring back some memories for you!