Yesterday's Bomb Threat

After a police officer directed us away from the Jefferson Building of the Library of Congress, several of us researchers made our way to the back entrance of the Madison Building. When we got inside, we heard another police officer say that we were the last ones in the Library because of a lockdown. This sounded pretty good to me and another researcher, since we could spend lockdown getting some real research done in the Library. 

Well, I didn't make it to the reading room I was intending to go to. Instead, the Newspaper and Current Periodicals Reading Room kindly welcomed me in to what became a sheltering in place due to a bomb threat nearby. Eventually, we were told to evacuate and go home.

I must say that it wasn't a terrible experience. The Library of Congress staff were very calm, kept us aware of what was going on, and were very kind. As I made my way through the Library from beginning to end, I learned quickly what was going on from the police, police walkie talkies, staff, and other readers. I knew that the staff was well prepared for such evacuations, since over the years we had evacuated for fire drills, etc. People in all sorts of positions were just very kind and thoughtful.

Yet another reason to say: The Library of Congress is Great!

DC Permafrost (Part 3)

In June, a Library of Congress employee showed me that she was running a heater at her feet because it was so cold. Also, at least one police officer working inside the building was wearing an outdoor fall/winter coat. It was in the 90s outside.  

P.S. How about setting indoor air conditioning at 73 degrees or, even better, at 75 degrees?

DC Permafrost (Part 2)

 As a result of encouragement from my colleague in Austria, I brought my thermometer to the Library of Congress yesterday and today. Today, it is 71 degrees in the Main Reading Room. I have two sweaters on, and wished that I owned some finger-less gloves because my hands are quite cold. The readers around me have sweaters and jean jackets on. One employee has a long shirt and wool sweater vest. Yesterday, it was 72 degrees in the European Reading Room, which seemed to be an especially cold day there. It is 77 degrees outside today. 

Here is a summary of the temperature readings:

• LoC Main Reading Room: 71 degrees (8/4)
• LoC European Reading Room: 72 degrees (8/3), 73 degrees, much better (8/4)
  
• Metro Bus #36: 71 degrees, really cold (8/3)
• Silver-line Metro: 75 degrees, actually somewhat ok (8/4)
• DC Public Library, Southeast Branch: 74 degrees (8/4)
  
• Outdoor temperature: 77 degrees, muggy. 

Take away: Stop the insane air conditioning!

P.S. How about setting indoor air conditioning at 73 degrees or, even better, at 75 degrees?

DC Permafrost

About 10 years ago, I was going to start a blog called "Permafrost" to document the freezing indoor summer temperatures across DC, but I never got myself mobilized. The Library of Congress' Main Reading Room was going to be my first case study, but it is just one example of the insane air-conditioning experienced across DC offices.

Once the Main Reading Room opened again, I jumped at the possibility of ordering books from the general collection for the first time since early 2020. However, it was bitter cold in the Main Reading Room. I told others that it was colder than the Arctic. I forgot and only brought a sweater, but it wasn't enough. At lunch time, I went out into the immensely hot, mid-day sun, but could not warm up enough to return to the Main Reading Room. So, I just went home. 

When I thought about creating the blog, one colleague in the Main Reading Room daily wore a down vest, scarf, and gloves. More recently another colleague wrote: 

I could never understand why they do this. I used to bring not only sweater and pants, but gloves and scarf. It would still take me half an hour to defrost after I left. And I also took refuge in the European room (although I found it cold there, too) 

I am much happier now that the European Reading Room has opened, which is warmer. (The Hispanic Reading Room is also a more rational temperature.) My sweater keeps me warm enough. They even have a thermometer in the room, so there is some monitoring. I also very much like the community in the European Reading Room. 

Take away: Stop the insane air conditioning!!!

P.S. This might seem like a strange complaint, since the pandemic expelled us from these hyper-air-conditioned buildings. Now is exactly the right time finally to halt this insane air conditioning. 

P.P.S. Unfortunately, the European Reading Room is too cold today (8/2/2021)! I'm leaving earlier to escape and warm up. I saw that one of the employees has a big down coat in their office. Just one of more sign of how cold it can get indoors during the summer here in DC.

The Joy of Being One of the First 30 People Back in the Library

 As I exited the Newspaper and Current Periodicals reading room on June 1st, I was interviewed as one of the first 30 people back in the Library of Congress reading rooms.  

Wonderful!

On Tuesday, June 1st, 2021, I was among the very first people to return to the Library of Congress reading rooms. Since then, I have been working most days in the Newspaper and Current Periodical Reading Room. It is so very wonderful to be back. The staff is so helpful as always. The materials are amazing as always. Thank you to the Library of Congress for opening. I and many others greatly appreciate it.