For the purposes of my summer research projects, I managed to acquire a membership to the Research Library at the Bibliothèque Nationale de France (BNF). I have to admit, I feel pretty snazzy, even if it's no great feat in the grander scheme of things.
Oops, well, this will be an interior tour only, I forgot to take a picture from the outside. My bad.
The only way to describe the entry into the research library is by imagining the entry to the headquarters of MIB. I know it sounds crazy, but I swear, that's what it looks like. Mega escalators like these, huge, empty hallways of concrete and steel. It makes it seem like you're going somewhere FAR cooler than you, in fact, are.
From underneath the escalator ...
The research library rooms form a rectangle around a huge courtyard. I don't know if they did it on purpose, but looking down the long sides could practically give you vertigo. I hang out in rooms L, M, and N the most often (they're closest to the books I need on Africa).
This is what the inside of the rooms looks like. Lots and lots of tables. You aren't even allowed into the research part of the library if you haven't reserved a workspace previously. Pretty intense. Oh and I forgot to mention, you're required to give up all of your backpacks and purses at the entrance. They give you a clear plastic briefcase-thing that you put all of your stuff into. I suppose it's to prevent theft?
Anyway, I'm glad to have gotten the experience of working here -- plus my card is valid for a year, so if my MA essay needs some supplemental research ...
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