Only Pencils in the Bibliothèque Nationale

[robert.bradley.5]

Thanks to Samantha Rose Hill for this photo.

[Lithium466]

But why? Am I missing something? Are French people going wild and writing on library books?

[robert.bradley.5]

Or maybe smudging inky fingers on books while taking notes?

[Jon Szanto]

I believe this is a somewhat common practice in archives and collections of rarity. The entire point is to not have a marker of any permanence, as people might make annotations out of habit or reflex, and not maliciously.

[carlos.q]

So… are we to believe that the Omas Bibliothèque Nationale fountain pen is an urban myth? Or maybe a rebellious cry for freedom? :wink:

[amk]

Almost all archive are pencil only. It's about spills, as well. Imagine tipping a bottle of BSB on a Shakespeare First Folio in a moment of clumsiness...

[Motomachi10]

So… are we to believe that the Omas Bibliothèque Nationale fountain pen is an urban myth? Or maybe a rebellious cry for freedom? :wink:

I think the rule for pencils only is the antique and important documents and books section. It is to protect important books and documents and you need a special permit to have access to this part of the institution.

[Bisquitlips]

I believe this is a somewhat common practice in archives and collections of rarity. The entire point is to not have a marker of any permanence, as people might make annotations out of habit or reflex, and not maliciously.

Yep!

[Cyril]

I hacve being to this library and I can't remember this notice. Similar things is here in British library in London. But you can go with a note book and pencil and ball point pen. No smart telephone pen cameras and pens. As I can remember .