The National Library of Canada...
Aug. 2nd, 2007 07:46 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
I spent most of the afternoon doing research in the National Library of Canada. I've been there before, but not for many years. I used to go when I was an undergraduate at Carleton University, and I remember they made me jump through hoops to get the authorization to go in. I was left thinking it was an elitist place that probably wouldn't let me in.
But, encouraged yesterday by
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I knew the National Library had a copy, because I'd got it once on Interlibrary Loan through the Public Library. (But they wouldn't let me take it home. The nerve.) When I asked for it this morning the library expressed doubt. "We don't usually handle that kind of material," she said. "We're mandated to carry Canadian history, you know." I couldn't tell whether she was dissing my unpatriotic study of European history, or apologizing for the library's insufficiencies. I refrained from saying, "How chauvinistic of you." They did, of course, have the book.
Because it is fragile, I had to read it in room 25, wearing white gloves (which they provided), and use of pens is not allowed. Luckily, I'd put a good pencil into my bag this morning, somewhat by accident rather than good planning.
I luxuriated in the place. I'm used to the Ottawa Public Library - a good place, don't get me wrong, but it's crowded with books and people and the air conditioning seldom seems quite right and the librarians are always busy. In the National Library, there is a hush. The air conditioning is perfect - and that's important, since it was (
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I loved it. I worked until my eyes started to blur and my brain balked at understanding Anglo-Norman and the muscles of my pencil-wielding hand started to ache.
The good part? My card is valid for a whole year.
Makes me feel, if only temporarily, like the real scholar I want to be.
I took some pictures when I was leaving, just for the fun of it.
First,

Besides being a lovely statue, it has a delightful history.


with the entrance to the National Library to the left of the picture.
The person sitting on the bench is real, not part of the sculpture -
she was waiting for someone to pick her up.
no subject
Date: 2007-08-03 01:17 pm (UTC)But as for the path not traveled, I hope the path you did do brought it's own pleasures with it?
no subject
Date: 2007-08-03 01:22 pm (UTC)Yeah. I managed that one, though I had to delay it by six months due to illness. Frustrating, especially when I look back. At the time it was a matter of taking one day at a time; but I think now, that on recovery, I should have done everything I could to get back into a doctoral programme. I suppose the question is: if I feel that way, what's stopping me now? Answer: money. The sense that I've been away from it for too long. Sheer funk.
I hope the path you did do brought it's own pleasures with it?
Oh, yes, it's been fun working in theatre, and I'm not really complaining about my life. It isn't what I would have chosen ideally, but it's been fun, certainly, with good friends and lots of stimulating ideas to play with. Not to mention having history books to read. But if anyone seems suited by temperament and interest to be an academic, it's me. I was once proud of my undersanding of the 12th century. Now I have... less to be proud of.
no subject
Date: 2007-08-03 03:17 pm (UTC)Me too. Unfortunately, the economic/political climate was against me. A casualty of Thatcherism. 4 years of full-time paid work in the 14 years since finishing PhD.
I'm not a violent person, but the people who claim that poverty is a virtue need their heads kicking in.
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Date: 2007-08-03 08:34 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-08-03 09:10 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-08-03 09:16 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-08-03 09:26 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-08-03 11:49 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-08-04 08:35 am (UTC)I am resigned to being shabby-genteel.
no subject
Date: 2007-08-04 12:46 pm (UTC)This means I improvise.
The effect is probably the same as shabby-genteel but it has aspirations of grandeur.
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Date: 2007-08-04 03:19 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-08-04 03:23 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-08-04 03:27 pm (UTC)no subject
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