By Saul Schniderman, President, and Anne Toohey, Chief Steward
This message was originally sent to bargaining unit members on June 19, 2018. We are posting on our website now in light of recent developments:
The Guild has recently learned of plans to change the layout of the Main Reading Room (MRR) at the Library of Congress. We have requested a meeting with the Office of the Librarian to discuss this matter, which should happen soon.
In her appearance before the House Subcommittee on Legislative Branch Appropriations on April 25, 2018, Librarian of Congress Dr. Carla Hayden described how “people walk into the wonderful Great Hall, they’re fascinated by the beauty, and then they are not able to go into the magnificent Reading Room and that will be the second part [of the plan], to open up the reading room, with acoustical protections for any researchers that might be in the room.”
Staff rendering, from memory, of the proposed changes to the Main Reading Room.
We understand that changes now being considered by the Office of the Librarian may be extensive, including a design that would allow casual pedestrian traffic into the MRR. There has been talk of a proposal to install a plexiglass partition that will subdivide the space, making room for exhibition space, but reducing space for research. It appears that the Main Reading Room will be subdivided as shown above, with the shaded area being exhibit space offset from the rest of the reading room by the plexiglass barriers. As described to staff, these barriers would not go to the ceiling, nor would they have a plexiglass ceiling over them, but would be approximately like the glass around a hockey rink. It has been acknowledged that there could be an increased level of noise in the room and it was suggested that the Science and Business Reading Room in the Adams Building might be designated as the “quiet reading room” for research.
The Main Reading Room is the heart and soul of our institution. It was designed for research, but it is also a magical space and has become a potent, recognizable symbol of our Library that has appeared in films and images throughout the years. The Main Reading Room stands in many ways as a shorthand for human knowledge, creativity and endeavor.
The Guild applauds the Librarian’s vision of a Main Reading Room that is more accessible to the American public. However, we are concerned that the changes currently being considered could compromise its aesthetic beauty and negatively impact researchers at the Library of Congress.
Feel free to comment about this matter in person or by email. We will keep you informed as we learn more about this proposed change.
