On the supply of printed books from the library to the reading room of the British MuseumPanizzi, Anthony, Sir
History
On the supply of printed books from the library to the reading room of the British Museum
Panizzi, Anthony, Sir
British Museum; Libraries -- Great Britain
"The only thing I can suggest about the new tickets is, that the
_Press-marks_ should be made more _simple_; but this is so manifest,
and is so entirely dependant upon the re-arrangement of the Library,
that it would be ridiculous to say another word on the subject.
"As to _dispatch_ in procuring books. Not only does my own
experience convince me of the great improvements which have taken
place since your last appointment, but such is the opinion of every
one whom I have heard speak of the Museum; and I have long had daily
opportunities of witnessing your courtesy and earnest desire to
render your Department as beneficial as possible to the Public. To
point out a defect, or to suggest an improvement, is to secure your
attention; and, as a matter of common justice, I anxiously bear
testimony to the change which has taken place since your promotion.
You have done wonders in a few weeks; and I pray you not to allow
the caprice or folly of individuals to affect your exertions.
"Believe me, with great esteem, my dear Sir, very sincerely yours,
&c."
This letter stated almost all that could be said in favour of the plan:
it seemed to express opinions maturely considered; I was therefore
unprepared to hear condemned, as unnecessary and vexatious, (_See_ No.
X.) what had been pronounced by the same writer, as not only not
vexatious, but absolutely necessary. The plea, that "he usually writes
and speaks from the impression of the moment," may as easily be alleged
in defence of his present as of his former judgment, and lead people to
trust neither. But although that letter sets forth what can be said in
favour of the plan which it praises, it touches but slightly on those
hindrances, which carelessness or malice can alike produce to defeat its
success. Any person, who, from either cause, gives wrong references, who
writes illegibly, who misdescribes a book, who misspells the name of an
author, who asks for a large number of books at the same moment, who
will not take the trouble to deliver his tickets to the proper person,
but leaves them about to be lost or mislaid, who has recourse to the
pettiest devices to create a grievance for the purpose of complaining of
it, such a person will certainly be kept occasionally waiting; and how
can it be otherwise? Yet these are the very persons who complain most,
avoiding, however, investigation, when they would be proved wrong, and
writing anonymously to newspapers, stating truly, it may be, the fact of
having been kept waiting, but taking good care to render it impossible
to prove that it was by their fault. This is not all: the endeavours
made to correct their mistakes and to decipher their handwriting, take
much time; and the delay is not unfrequently turned against the officers
and servants of the Museum, who are actually found fault with for doing
more than they are bound to do. Meanwhile, readers who have done all
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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