This post is for everyone who was envious I would be spending soooo much time in Paris. And yes, I love Paris, the food, the bread, my 6:30am urban workout group (!) at les Jardins du Luxembourg, and meeting up with friends I havent seen for ages… But this is how research is going so far and why a sense of humor and patience is required: Day 1: Arrive early at the national library… sit around and wait for the fonctionnaire to arrive who renews library cards. An hour later Im told said fonctionnaire isnt coming in today, and no one else has the clef to the drawer where cards are kept… Can you issue a temporary pass? Hum, cest compliqué, très compliqué… Hum… OK, but you cant request books. I give up and go to the Musée de LOrangerie, hey Im in Paris. Day 2: Second attempt: same fonctionnaire is probablement not coming in, but today someone remembers they can issue a 3-day pass that allows you to request books. Oh we are making progress. But: books at the BNF Richelieu site require 24-48 hours, as their building is being renovated. Great. I request books, a few microfilms, journals… I busy myself looking at some of the catalogues, reference books, etc. Halfway through the afternoon theres suddenly a trickle of water in the middle of the room. Youd think a bucket would solve the issue, but no: they evacuate the room because its already 3pm anyways, the room is now closed for the day… (They usually close at 8pm, just saying). So I head out to wander the bookstores of St-Michel. Day 3: Great day of work, oh how this place has it together… Getting into a groove here… getting to know the layout, the librarians. As I request books for tomorrow one of the fonctionnaires whispers to me: dont come tomorrow though, were all on strike. Day 4: Yep, BNF Richelieu is closed. I rest my case: two weeks will barely be enough, right?
Posted on: Thu, 15 May 2014 12:05:11 +0000
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