Comments on: checking out a book from the Cambridge University Library

By: Penguin

Penguin — Sat, 18 Feb 2006 08:01:35 +0000

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!

By: Em

Em — Tue, 14 Feb 2006 04:22:15 +0000

haha when I was at University of Glasgow, we had to do the same thing. Gotta love the Brits…

By: The Joe K

The Joe K — Mon, 13 Feb 2006 22:57:12 +0000

Been good.

Let me know if that speedreading guide works for you.

I really hate reading, always have.

By: Saar Drimer

Saar Drimer — Mon, 13 Feb 2006 22:45:14 +0000

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.

By: Joe K

Joe K — Mon, 13 Feb 2006 20:53:32 +0000

What book were you checking out? Encryption methods of the Teutonic Knights?

By: Feng Hao

Feng Hao — Mon, 13 Feb 2006 10:13:15 +0000

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.

By: John Rinck

John Rinck — Mon, 13 Feb 2006 08:18:36 +0000

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.

By: Helen

Helen — Sat, 11 Feb 2006 23:17:19 +0000

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?