So for a botany project on the family Combretaceae I had to find five monographs (and five periodicals and five websites) with at least one coming from each of the following time periods: pre-1900s, 1900-1950, 1950-1990 and post-1990. This took a lot more time than expected, especially as I had to hand in an annotated bibliography describing what each source had in terms of information and my search methods for finding sources (of which I had to have at least three different types for each set of resources).
Anyways, the most interesting thing I did for the project was make a viewing appointment for a first edition copy of Miscellaneous Botanical Works by Robert Brown (published 1866) at the Fisher Rare Book Library. This morning I got to the library bright and early, ready to read. After checking my bag and coat, I was permitted to enter the library reading room. It is on the first floor and is open ceilinged, so you can look up five or six floors at the shelves and shelves of old, beautiful books lining the walls. It was like something out of a dream. I sat there in silence and awe, turning the brittle, yellowed pages of a great botanist's work. It was the closest thing I've ever had to a spiritual experience.
It is an experience that everyone should have at least once. I urge you all to take advantage of your university library resources, and if you are at University of Toronto, to find a reason to do some of your research at Fisher. It is incredible and not to be missed.
Anyways, the most interesting thing I did for the project was make a viewing appointment for a first edition copy of Miscellaneous Botanical Works by Robert Brown (published 1866) at the Fisher Rare Book Library. This morning I got to the library bright and early, ready to read. After checking my bag and coat, I was permitted to enter the library reading room. It is on the first floor and is open ceilinged, so you can look up five or six floors at the shelves and shelves of old, beautiful books lining the walls. It was like something out of a dream. I sat there in silence and awe, turning the brittle, yellowed pages of a great botanist's work. It was the closest thing I've ever had to a spiritual experience.
It is an experience that everyone should have at least once. I urge you all to take advantage of your university library resources, and if you are at University of Toronto, to find a reason to do some of your research at Fisher. It is incredible and not to be missed.



