What’s the library equivalent of a busman’s holiday?

Librarians are always interested in seeing other libraries, perhaps to gain ideas or to compare their stock. In August the team were given a special tour of the British Library building in St Pancras by Club member Kevin Mehmet, a member of the BL staff.

In the course of the morning the team learned about the impressive building, which appears from one angle to be shaped like a ship, but (to use an unfortunate metaphor) like an iceberg the BL has several underground basements that hold vast numbers of books, journals, maps and other printed material. A mechanical handling system enables books to be delivered to the reading rooms within 70 minutes of a request.

In the centre of the public area is a glass tower containing the King’s Library, ornately bound volumes collected by King George III, the seed from which the British Library grew. The tour concluded with some of the Library’s treasures, with Kevin giving background information and particular insights. The librarians are most grateful to Kevin for arranging and leading the visit.

Pictured from left to right: Rob Stephens, Kevin Mehmet, Jacky Atkinson, Gavin Turnbull, Peter Elliott and Sandy Copland.