If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.
Wednesday, 13. February 2008, 19:48:53
I have now spent two days at the Bibliothèque, swimming in Library speak, in another language. Overwhelming to say the least!
My first day was spent getting the all important library card, to access all areas of the Library, and a quick lesson on how to use the catalogue. The Francois Mitterrand site is…to say the least, a massive campus that covers four points of the compass – it consists of four towers - east, south, west and north surrounding a live pine forest. Moving between the towers requires allowing a five minute walk in either direction, which takes in to consideration, the escalators placed in the open air, that get you between the two public levels.
It reminds me of my favourite quote by Marcus Tullius Cicero: "If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need."
Today, I visited the Richelieu campus, and sat in on a Public Programs meeting. Given that everyone spoke incredibly fast, I think I understood about 20% of the whole discussion that went for 3 hours. All the while, I am sitting in a 400 year old room (with 400 year old heating) hoping that the chair I am sitting on is not 400 years old, and trying very hard not to make it squeak.
My State Library of Victoria colleagues would appreciate the conversation no doubt, which was (after a brief reminder about performance management) to discuss a three year exhibition schedule, the reduced budget that must be adhered to, and how to produce a great deal of programs, on little money. I felt for a moment, that I was back home in the boardroom in my own library, when the manager at the head of the table explained:
"Well, they have given you the car, now you must find the key."
Another staff member then asked, "But who has the petrol?"
A few point of interest about the BNF...
The laws of legal deposit in France came in to effect in 1537, when Francois the 1st, King of France ordered that every book published thereafter be put in the library. If you could possibly imagine that just 30 years after the incunabula period, the library was given a copy of every book, stamp and map ever printed in France, you might be able to hold the wealth of it in your imagination, for about a second….
To put this in an Australian context, the copyright protection act came into effect in 1869 (followed by legal deposit in 1968), which means that whilst the State Library of Victoria is very lucky to have an excellent collection of rare and valuable books printed prior to its inception in 1854 (due to the vision of Redmond Barry and subsequent librarians), our collection of 2 million books, and about 5 million items, is considered incredibly impressive (www.slv.vic.gov.au to peruse at your leisure).
The National Library of France has 2000 staff, 13 million books, 250,000 manuscripts, 350,000 periodicals, 12 million stamps, photographs and posters, plus 800,000 maps, 2 million pieces of music, 530,000 coins and medals...and so on...
There are 7 campuses (Site Francois Mitterrand and Site Richelieu being the main ones) but the network also includes Bibliotèque de L’Arsenal, Bibliotèque -Musee de l’Opera, Maison Jean Vilar à Avignon, and two conservation sites.
Just last month, another site (bringing the total to 8) joined the National Library in an administrative capacity - "La Joie Par Les Livres" –The National Centre of Books for Children, and in 2009, the staff and collections will move location. This fares well, for my current research topic, which is "Library Services for Youth".
Sorry Day
On a more personal note, tonight, I and about 100 other Australians living in Paris were invited to attend a soiree at the Australian Embassy, to listen to Prime Minister Rudd’s Apology, to the members of the Stolen Generation, and to have a cuppa and an anzac biscuit.
I would say that Rudd’s speech was one of the best orations I have heard for some time, and I felt very proud to be Australian. It was very moving, to watch the two leaders of our country, put down their partisan viewpoints for the good of the nation, for the future of our country, and for reconciliation of the past.
And then I thought, wouldn’t it be lovely if they did that every day?
My first day was spent getting the all important library card, to access all areas of the Library, and a quick lesson on how to use the catalogue. The Francois Mitterrand site is…to say the least, a massive campus that covers four points of the compass – it consists of four towers - east, south, west and north surrounding a live pine forest. Moving between the towers requires allowing a five minute walk in either direction, which takes in to consideration, the escalators placed in the open air, that get you between the two public levels.
It reminds me of my favourite quote by Marcus Tullius Cicero: "If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need."
Today, I visited the Richelieu campus, and sat in on a Public Programs meeting. Given that everyone spoke incredibly fast, I think I understood about 20% of the whole discussion that went for 3 hours. All the while, I am sitting in a 400 year old room (with 400 year old heating) hoping that the chair I am sitting on is not 400 years old, and trying very hard not to make it squeak.
My State Library of Victoria colleagues would appreciate the conversation no doubt, which was (after a brief reminder about performance management) to discuss a three year exhibition schedule, the reduced budget that must be adhered to, and how to produce a great deal of programs, on little money. I felt for a moment, that I was back home in the boardroom in my own library, when the manager at the head of the table explained:
"Well, they have given you the car, now you must find the key."
Another staff member then asked, "But who has the petrol?"
A few point of interest about the BNF...
The laws of legal deposit in France came in to effect in 1537, when Francois the 1st, King of France ordered that every book published thereafter be put in the library. If you could possibly imagine that just 30 years after the incunabula period, the library was given a copy of every book, stamp and map ever printed in France, you might be able to hold the wealth of it in your imagination, for about a second….
To put this in an Australian context, the copyright protection act came into effect in 1869 (followed by legal deposit in 1968), which means that whilst the State Library of Victoria is very lucky to have an excellent collection of rare and valuable books printed prior to its inception in 1854 (due to the vision of Redmond Barry and subsequent librarians), our collection of 2 million books, and about 5 million items, is considered incredibly impressive (www.slv.vic.gov.au to peruse at your leisure).
The National Library of France has 2000 staff, 13 million books, 250,000 manuscripts, 350,000 periodicals, 12 million stamps, photographs and posters, plus 800,000 maps, 2 million pieces of music, 530,000 coins and medals...and so on...
There are 7 campuses (Site Francois Mitterrand and Site Richelieu being the main ones) but the network also includes Bibliotèque de L’Arsenal, Bibliotèque -Musee de l’Opera, Maison Jean Vilar à Avignon, and two conservation sites.
Just last month, another site (bringing the total to 8) joined the National Library in an administrative capacity - "La Joie Par Les Livres" –The National Centre of Books for Children, and in 2009, the staff and collections will move location. This fares well, for my current research topic, which is "Library Services for Youth".
Sorry Day
On a more personal note, tonight, I and about 100 other Australians living in Paris were invited to attend a soiree at the Australian Embassy, to listen to Prime Minister Rudd’s Apology, to the members of the Stolen Generation, and to have a cuppa and an anzac biscuit.
I would say that Rudd’s speech was one of the best orations I have heard for some time, and I felt very proud to be Australian. It was very moving, to watch the two leaders of our country, put down their partisan viewpoints for the good of the nation, for the future of our country, and for reconciliation of the past.
And then I thought, wouldn’t it be lovely if they did that every day?
WIDGETIZE
Mikedread # 15. February 2008, 05:36
Pardon! Shocking pun. Sam, an absolutely extraordinary day here. And one that should change the way we talk and think about our history. To say nothing of the way we treat Aboriginal people and how they might feel about themselves. Everyone is talking about the need for 'action', which is true (tho' typical) but for nwo I think we need to let this sink in. The whole history of black-white relationship seems to have been about dealing with a problem. At last we are dealing with each other as people. You might say that it has taken not 10 years for the apology but 210 years.
I'm enjoying your reports on all things Paris (including giving directions and sitting in on meetings. Haven't heard that car metaphor before but I think I know how it goes!)
Keep up le bon travaille. A la semaine mois!
Mike
andrewgray # 18. February 2008, 11:11
Look forward to further updates. Cheers (or what ever the French equivalent is) Andrew
Samantha Tidy # 18. February 2008, 18:14
PS. Looking forward to seeing you in April! Will call you soon on Skype to arrange details...