The City of London and Murphy's Law

Day 1 Lesson 1
Things one should know (but are not told) prior to a research junket to another country. FIRST is that all your id must have your current address on it
I showed up at the British Library bright and early this morning with my cup of tea in hand and queued up with the rest of eager people waiting to enter the hallowed halls of this massive and extremely overwhelming institution. One of the first things I noticed was that unlike Kansas City those waiting to get into the building actually wanted to be in the building for some legitimate reason unlike the homeless people who seem to make up the largest number of people at any given time- not that I fault them for seeking warmth or anything- just merely an observation. But I digress. As the doors opened and we all filed by the security officers at the door I found my way to the information desk with my letter of introduction in hand and a big smile (my excitement would not be contained) I asked the kind lady behind the desk just what it was I would need to do to view the manuscripts housed here. As she read through the laundry list of things that I would need it dawned on me that my drivers license was back in the hotel (in my defense I had my passport and student id) lucky me that I found a crappy hotel so near the library—it more than made up for the cigarette burns in the curtains and the shower in the hallway that sprays the ceiling more than me (more on that at another time) so off I went dashing back to the hotel trying to beat the rain I knew was coming, ran up two flights of stairs, because there is no lift in the hotel. Grabbed my Missouri DL and dashed back to the library. Where I was promptly directed to the pass office. Where I filled out the online form for the pass that would allow me to begin my treasure hunt. As yet another polite lady called me to her desk to process my application and I proudly handed her my letter of introduction and PROPER identification she looked at me and said oh dear your addresses do not match—PANIC oh crap what to do what to say, if you know me at all you know that I suck at lying and I mean I SUUUUCCCKKK at lying but I gave it a go it went something like this
ME: Oh I just moved that is my new address sorry
Lady: (flipping over my id)- well then I’m confused – this is dated January 2008. (Damn my social conscious I had signed and dated the organ donor portion of my license)
ME: Oh Umm Umm (sweat is not coming from pores I haven’t used since I was 10 and tried to lie to my grandfather.) Oh no that means that I didn’t bring the right one
Lady: well I am sorry we need something with your current address-like a utility bill or credit card statement- (yes because when I was packing I made sure to grab this months bills) we won’t be able to issue a pass.
I don’t know if it was the tears welling up in my eyes or the look of morbid panic that leapt to my face that caused her to take mercy on the stupid American girl who was now looking at 4 days in London with no way to get to the documents that she needed. She made a call and they granted me a ONE-DAY pass.
Now I don’t know how many of you have ever done archival research but it was over ambitious of me to think that in 5 days I could locate (not view everything-just locate) half of what I will eventually need for this research to be complete, and thanks to being snowed in at Chicago I had already lost a day) But I took it and RAN did not WALK but yes RAN boys and girls! I wasn’t going to risk anyone having second thoughts.
My next step was the coat check – they do not allow you to bring anything other than your laptop, paper and pencil into any of the “Reading Rooms” To be quite honest I believe it is easier to get into Ft. Knox than the British Library. So I checked my coat and bags filled the clear plastic bag that I was handed with my tools and off I went
As I walked into the Manuscripts reading room I again had to show id and my pass have my computer searched and my folder with my papers. (FYI they did this every time I left and came back) I headed straight to the information desk as I now only had 7 precious hours to locate all that I could-I threw myself on the mercy of the archivist, who after hearing that I was not only an undergraduate but that I had never done anything like this before AND I only had one day to do it in. Shook his head and looked at me as if I was mad as a hatter. Took me to a computer and said well here is where you search the manuscripts-here is are the massive volumes of what is not listed on the computer and oh by the way you will NEVER get this done.
Wishing that I had time to find a quite corner and burst into tears I got started and one by one found documents that I would need to take a look at. Next came the lesson on how to request a document- I filled out the card (in pencil they will toss it if you use pen-thankfully I remembered that I was not supposed to even have a pen) then you wait and wait and of course wait some more- finally they bring you what you have requested. As I carefully pried open the covers and gazed upon the words written by 16th Century England’s greatest minds I found myself once again fighting back the tears- no longer being overwhelmed by the task ahead of me but in awe that I held in my had something that they had held in theirs- these were their words in their own hand writing! Yes I know this now moves me from geek status to super geek status but I gladly go it was AMAZING! I then inquired as to how to have them copied – they do not allow photographing of documents- I was then directed to an online form – they kind man who held back the howling laughter I knew was bursting to get out- helped me to figure out what the least costly way was to get at least the most important documents for this leg of my trip. I quickly found out why they do not all cameras- I just spent 200 dollars on digital copies of documents and that is only TWO of the hundreds that I will need before this is all said and done. My pass has now expired and I am across the street in a British chain restaurant/pub having dinner, people watching and planning my next move as I am in London till the 15th then on to Scotland.
In a side note: London is filled with GORGOUS men ~ it doesn’t matter if the sign on the door says Authentic Irish Pub – you still have to explain how to make a half and half (for the rest of you it is a pint of half Smithwicks and half Guinness and after the day I have had I am on my second) ~ I will be going back to the British Library tomorrow just to take pictures because even though I am now bared from the inner sanctum it is a seriously cool place!!
Cheers for now more tomorrow