The Library of Congress is THE greatest library in the world--a cathedral of learning. Good things happen when one maintains a regular reading schedule. There's always some unexpected source that makes the article/book chapter so much better.
Great--no question about that. I used to complain about the closed stacks, but having tramped around Firestone library in Princeton yesterday balancing a huge stack of books on my winter coat, hunting for books not in their proper place, I have come to appreciate even the convenient delivery of LC books straight to the European reading room. Is it the "greatest"? One could make a strong claim in terms of the collection and environment. But the great cafe in the Staastsbibliothek in Berlin, which is a modern architectural masterpiece (see the film "Himmel ueber Berlin") certainly prompt the observation that all the great libraries have some pluses and minuses.
I agree with both of you. A regular reading schedule at the Library of Congress is a great thing. Also the Library of Congress would become even greater with a great cafe. The people in the cafe are terrific, but the cafe is surreally unimpressive.
Great--no question about that. I used to complain about the closed stacks, but having tramped around Firestone library in Princeton yesterday balancing a huge stack of books on my winter coat, hunting for books not in their proper place, I have come to appreciate even the convenient delivery of LC books straight to the European reading room. Is it the "greatest"? One could make a strong claim in terms of the collection and environment. But the great cafe in the Staastsbibliothek in Berlin, which is a modern architectural masterpiece (see the film "Himmel ueber Berlin") certainly prompt the observation that all the great libraries have some pluses and minuses.
ReplyDeleteI agree with both of you. A regular reading schedule at the Library of Congress is a great thing. Also the Library of Congress would become even greater with a great cafe. The people in the cafe are terrific, but the cafe is surreally unimpressive.
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