Libraries In Paris, there are two kinds of libraries: the city's network; and others which have restricted access and/or require a small fee. There are 55 lending libraries run by the city of Paris. After obtaining a library card, you will have free and unlimited borrowing privileges. To obtain a library card, you must go to the accueil at any of these libraries with an acceptable piece of identification (for instance, a passport), and within five minutes you should walk away with a library card. With your brand new card, you have the right to borrow any book from any of these libraries for free (within reason) -- that's the beauty of a public library, folks! Many of these libraries have specific areas of concentration: that is, aside from their general collections, they have a special collection based on one topic or subject (Trocadero, for instance, focuses on tourism literature -- useful for French Contemporary Society presentations -- and foreign languages -- useful for some light reading on the side). The catalog for all of the City of Paris' libraries is available here. During your stay in Paris, you can also avail yourself of private libraries. These include university libraries (have a card from that university? you have access!), other public libraries (like the Pompidou Center, Bibliotheque Nationale de France), and more specialized academic libraries. (These are harder to gain access to. If you find that you really need a book from one of these, talk to Alain-- he may be able to help you out. These libraries are searchable here.) The Biblithèque Publique d'Information (located at the Centre Pompidou near the Forum des Halles) is a non-lending research library with free access. The main problem with this library is that it is almost always crowded resulting in long line (allow at least 15 – 30 for entry, which has been known to take up to an hour on Sunday evenings), and once inside it takes a while to find free place at a table. DO NOT wait until the last minute to do research at this library, you will regret it !! Having said that, the collection is huge and varied, and if you have a day's worth of research to do, this could be the place to do it (another benefit is that some of their books are in English). Similarly long waits and impenetrable rules exist at the Sorbonne library (or so we have heard, having never actually tried it ourselves). Metro: line 11 Rambuteau or line 1,4,7,11,14 Chatelet The Bibliothèque Nationale de France includes five different libraries in Paris. I only have knowledge of the newest one named after former president Francois-Mitterand, which is non-lending research library as well. Even if you don’t need to do research, trek out to the 13th arrondissement to check out the architecture. You must pay a fee of 3.50 euro to do research here (you can also buy a two day/month/year pass). To enter go down the ramps at any given corner to the Rez-de-Jardin level. The library is divided into different rooms based on subject matter i.e. law, literature, history etc.(your ticket can be used in any of these salles throughout the day). Go here for a floor plan. The wait, if any, is usually minimal. Once inside, it is more tranquil than the Pompidou center, since they limit the number of entries. The selection is great, and many of the works are in English. Bring change/credit card to put money on a card for copies (this same copy-card is valid at Pompidou and other research libraries). You can walk around the lobby, (always an art display of some sort) and verify that there isn’t a long line to your room of choice for free. Metro: line 6 Quai de la Gare, line 14/ RER C Bibliothèque Francois Mitterand - Sam Feazel Skidmore College · 815 North Broadway · Saratoga Springs, NY · 12866
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