Once a week I go to my happy (learning) place. I mean this University library. People who know me are aware I have admiration, affection and a long-standing regular attendance at this particular library. This edifice to education polarises opinion – love it or hate it, not many are neutral.
Here's why I like it. Think of architecture as a power statement. Then think of the large and tall glass temples built in the City of London, and other cities. Most often they are owned or leased by huge finance or corporate companies. They are about wealth and wealth creation, they are statements of power, using the constructive rhetoric of architecture. This University library would not look out of place in such company. Except.
Except that this building is about education and learning, the creation of knowledge, encouraging understanding and facilitating discovery. The end product is not finance but intellectual capital, social capital and the transformation of minds, and hopes, and possibilities. I love the statement that this building makes – a place of learning is a place of power, possibility and riches that can last a lifetime.
When I come here I head for Level 2,4 and 7 – Humanities Journals, English Literature and Art History, and Theology and Philosophy, respectively. I recently borrowed 4 books that would have cost me about £150 to buy.
Most times I avoid the lifts and take the stairs – just under 200 to the top floor – there are 9 floors and I've never really understood why the first two are un-numbered and the top floor is numbered 7. In any case it is often my scala sancta, the long climb towards theological illumination!
Yesterday I chose to take the lift, and discovered why I don't. On the way up, crowded. It stops at Level 1 and two get out; stops again at level 2 and 1 gets out, and 1 gets in, only to get out again at 3. Every floor it stopped. By the time I got to Level 7 the time it took, I could have climbed the stairs and been the fitter for it!
But. I then had just over an hour of reading, browsing and came away with a half page of notes. Was it worth it? Depends what dividends you think you get from the investment of thought. Yes, actually, it was worth it.
Why? Look at the two photos. The second one shows the football goals in the foreground. Life has many goals, most of them worthwhile. The goal of good learning is amongst the best goals we ever score.
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