Stripper's Guide

Here we have the third and final cartoon from the Preparations For Fiesta series (May 4), plus two huge cartoons from Sunday the fifth, one about the future of automobiles for which Herriman's estate might be due a few bucks from the Hoveround people, the other showing the various shenanigans involved in a Shriners convention.

Labels: Herriman's LA Examiner Cartoons

In part one of this essay I got you into the microfilm room. Today we'll actually get some work done.

Ordering Microfilm
When you enter the microfilm reading room directly in front of you is the main desk. This is where you'll come to order microfilm. You need to fill out a form for each request. Those forms will be found at a desk back off to your right in a corner next to the old card catalog (which, by the way, is useless -- ignore it). The triplicate forms ask for the name of the newspaper, the dates wanted, your name, the ID number on your reader registration card and your desk number.

Be sure to get the name of the newspaper right. Some of the people who take the requests will look for any opportunity to feign ignorance or confusion and give it back to you unfilled. It's best to include the name of the state in your request, thus if you're asking for the Detroit Free Press, it never hurts to write "Detroit (MI) Free Press". If the name of the paper doesn't include the city, include that in parentheses too (e.g. "The (New York) Evening World"). When you hand in a request they look up the name of the paper in a book in order to assign a Microfilm Number on the request. If they don't find the exact name you requested, or if there is any possibility that you could have meant one of several different publications they will often hand it back to you telling you to fix it -- or worse, take the request and never fill it, while you twiddle your thumbs waiting.

Now you may be wondering a few things at this point -- I certainly did on my first visit. Mainly, how do you know what they have in their holdings? One might assume that they keep a master list at the desk. No, not really. They do have a list of publications, which they are loathe to let you see, but their information on the dates they hold is sketchy at best. They won't know if the film is available until a runner comes back empty-handed. You can avoid a lot of unfilled requests by using WorldCat (available on the microfilm room's computers) to pre-screen your requests. There's even some mistakes there (don't bother asking for the Chicago Daily Drover's Journal, for instance -- the microfilm was ordered but never actually went into inventory). And don't expect, as some do, that the library has every U.S. paper. Far from it. Their holdings concentrate on, as best I can tell, making a paper available for most major county seats in the country. Smaller papers, those that weren't the paper of record for a county, or represented suburban counties for which a larger city paper are available, generally aren't held here -- for those you must look to state and county libraries. The LoC also doesn't carry but a few representative papers for most major cities. Their holdings for Boston, for instance, are pretty much limited to the Globe and Post. Papers that had an unsavory reputation are generally not held. The New York Graphic and most other tabloids are missing, as are many Hearst papers.

Regarding dates, you'll need to keep in mind that the rule for the average joe walking in is that you can't have more than twelve reels of film at any time. If you are working with a paper for which you're not sure how much is on a reel then your best bet is to request in the form "12 Reels Beginning January 1 1920". Depending on who's working, they can get pretty pissy about that twelve reel business. If you put in a new request and they find the previous twelve reels still at your desk when they make delivery some of them will march the new film right back into storage and tell you to re-request it when you're done with what you have.

I've been lucky enough to become friendly with one of the runners (Kelly, who has my undying gratitude). She remembered me from previous visits and knew that I go through microfilm at a ridiculously fast clip. She got permission from the head of the department (Georgia Higley, the mere mention of whose name can sweep away bureaucracy like a magic wand) to take long lists from me and deliver hundreds of reels at a time so I didn't keep bothering her every 15 minutes all day long. Kelly's out-of-the-box attitude made this my most productive visit ever, but also had the unintended consequence of annoying the other people who work there who take an instant dislike to anyone who they feel is getting special attention.

Back to the request form. You'll need to pick out a microfilm machine to work at before you make any requests since the film is delivered to you at that desk number. The microfilm room has two areas of viewers. At the back right where all the lights are turned off are the hand-cranked machines, at the front right are the automated viewers that can make photocopies. You aren't supposed to monopolize the copy-making viewers, but rarely are there enough people doing research that you couldn't stay on one all day long. I, however, prefer the hand-cranked variety because it's quieter back in that darkened area, you get a bigger workspace (no room for laptops in the other area), and you don't have traffic going by all the time. I also find I can get my work done a lot more quickly when I can see a whole page of newspaper at a time and can crank as slowly or as quickly as I like.

By the way, if you don't know how to thread microfilm and use the machines, please do ask someone for help. If you try to figure it out yourself you WILL mess it up and cause problems that can be time-consuming to fix. The runners are your best bet for getting instruction -- they will heave a great sigh and act as if you asked them a huge favor, but they will do it and trust me, things will go smoother in the long run.

Each desk has a number on it, and that number has to go on your request form. Warning! If you submit a request and then have to go to the bathroom or something while you're waiting the runner may or may not leave the film at your desk when you're not there. At the very least, leave a "Reader Will Return" form on your machine (you can get those at the main request desk). Some of the more anal-retentive runners still won't leave film (I'm talking about you, Skippy) but most will.

Once you've filled out your request form, take it to the roped off area at the rear of the request desk. If no one is attending it, or the attendant is deeply fascinated with talking to the security guard, be patient. Wait there and try to make your presence just barely noticeable to get their attention (shuffling papers or getting a fake case of the sniffles works well). Try to avoid actually asking them to assist you -- this annoys the more touchy of them no end as they believe they have much more important things to attend to than your requests -- that includes perusing last night's football scores. They'll look over your request, find the microfilm number of the paper you requested (or tell you they can't find it) and remove the pink copy for you to hold onto. Do hold onto it because it shows the microfilm number. The next time you ask for the same paper you can save time by filling out that number yourself (this, too, annoys at least one of them, but most are happy to have you take care of that detail for them).

I really can't stress enough how important it is to stay on the good side of these people. If you annoy them, and they are VERY easy to annoy, and they can make the rest of your time there a living hell. There are a practically infinite number of rules that they can choose to enforce if they so decide, and you will run afoul of them pretty much no matter what you do. In fairness I think I understand the reasoning behind it all. If you've spent a lot of time in research libraries you will have noticed that they tend to attract a certain percentage of weirdos and nuts. The LoC is no exception, and once it becomes obvious to the staff that they have one of these on their hands, they use their deadliest weapons -- that laundry list of vague rules, some of which they come up with on the spur of the moment, to gradually convince these fruit loops to take their craziness elsewhere. I've seen the strategy put into action and it is remarkably effective.

Ordering Bound Volumes
If you know what's good for you just don't. If you think there is a lot of bureaucracy involved in getting film, it's a mere bagatelle compared to what you have to go through to see bound volumes. Take solace in the fact that the LoC has damn little on paper (read Nicholson Baker's expose, Double Fold, to learn the whole disgusting history) so if you're interested in comic strips chances are they don't have any of the material in hardcopy anyway.

Open and Closed Stacks
There is actually a small subset of microfilm for which you don't need to go through all the bureaucracy of submitting request forms. The library maintains a set of standard 'papers of record' in open stacks. The selection is excellent (New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, Washington Star, Philadelphia Inquirer, Boston Globe, LA Times, Chicago Tribune, San Francisco Chronicle and a few others). These can be interesting to peruse while you're waiting for your closed-stack orders to come through. Closed stack requests are sometimes fulfilled in as little as five to ten minutes when the library's not busy and the runners are doing their jobs, but a busy library or an overworked runner (government employees have their own unique definition of the term 'overworked', of course) may take up to 45 minutes to fill your request. It's best to come to the library with a research game plan that includes use of the open stacks during slack periods.

Taking Care of Necessities
If you're like me and want to spend every possible minute at the library there's a few more things I can suggest to help maximize your research time. First, bathrooms are available in the hall outside the microfilm room -- use the one down the hall to the left -- it's not nearly as busy (but it's also locked on weekends).

For lunch you can use the employee cafeteria. When you leave the microfilm room hang a right and use the stairwell opposite the elevators to go down one floor. When you leave the stairwell go left and the cafeteria is just down the hall. This used to be a quick and cheap meal. It's still quick but nowadays anything but cheap. A slice of pizza, a salad and coffee will run you at least $10. A great alternative is available if you don't mind eating lunch around 11:30 AM. When you walk out of the library immediately hang a right and walk to the street. Across the street and off to the right are two small cafes. Pete's Diner serves up really excellent food at bargain prices -- a delicious Thai-spiced tilapia dinner cost just $6.50 for instance. I haven't tried the other cafe. Both of these places are packed to the gills starting at noon, but they're practically deserted (and therefore have quick service) if you go early.

If you're like me and want to take advantage of every minute the LoC is open, keep in mind you do have to leave before the official closing time. The cloak room has signs posted that they close half an hour before the library. So if you want your stuff back don't wait for the last minute.

Greasing The Wheels
If you have any special requirements in the microfilm room, would like to be considered for special services (like more than 12 reels of film at a time), will want something odd that might be stored off-site, or have other questions, use the Ask A Librarian system on the LoC website. If you can get the ear of Georgia Higley and she thinks your research is worthwhile you will find that an extremely valuable asset when working in the library.

If you're planning a trip to the LoC and there's questions you have that you think would better be answered by someone not connected with the library feel free to fire away here on the blog or email me privately. My email address is in the sidebar to the right.

I've been asked to go into the specifics of what's it like to work at the LC. Since it's unlike any other research library you're apt to encounter I think the information may be helpful to those who are considering making the pilgrimage.

Accommodations
But before we get to the LC itself, let's talk about staying in Washington. A few things you ought to know -- first, it's horrendously expensive to stay there. A room in downtown DC will generally run you $125 minimum. On previous trips to the LC we've stayed at a Super 8 Motel out in Anacostia at the 'bargain' price of $80 a night, but it's nowhere near a subway line. We had our car that time and drove into downtown every morning, which is a big mistake. Traffic is terrible, the streets (with all due respect to Mr. L'Enfant) are confusing, and finding a place to park is a major undertaking. You'll most likely end up with a mile-long hike up Capitol Hill once you do find parking (for which, figure another $15-20 per day).

On another trip we found a real bargain -- a downtown bed and breakfast place happened to have an unexpected late cancellation and we were able to bargain with the guy to get it at $75 a night. That place was in walking distance to the LC, about 1/2 a mile. This was a real pleasure, despite the cost, because we didn't have to rent a car or deal with public transportation at all. Of course this was a case of all the stars aligning just right -- don't hold your breath to get this lucky.

On this most recent trip we got the bargain of all bargains. After looking all over for a good deal at a hotel/motel/b&b and finding nothing under $100 a night I posted a message on Craigslist more or less begging for anyone with a cheap room to contact me. I received just one response, but it was perfect. The Norwich House is right outside the University of Maryland and rents rooms only to researchers. Rentals are by the week or the month and run about $25-30 a night, an incredible bargain. The accommodations are anything but swank -- it's just a somewhat rundown old house. The rooms feature daybeds with air mattresses (oh, my achin' back) and two tiny bathrooms shared by up to a half a dozen or so residents. The kitchen is available to all, and each room gets assigned a small space in their refrigerator. You're in amongst a lot of frat houses, so expect to have trouble getting to sleep on Friday and Saturday nights when they're all partying. There's a common room where you can watch a tiny little TV with snowy reception, and an overworked wi-fi internet connection is available in the rooms. But ya can't beat that price with a stick and I will definitely be using their accommodations on my next trip. The house is about 1/2 a mile from the nearest subway station, and since they're so far out the ride to the LC takes a good 40 minutes.

Getting To The Library
The subway in Washington is pretty darn good (and I have high standards coming from Montreal, which has one of the best subway systems in the world). On weekdays the trains arrive on a 5-6 minute schedule at outlying stations, 3 minutes downtown. On weekends you will wait more like 10-15 minutes for a train. Fares are a bit on the expensive side for short hops, longer rides get progressively cheaper. When you first use the subway you'll want to get one of their money cards -- the cards cost $10 and come preloaded with $5 value; after that you can reload the card at any station with any amount of your choosing. You can reload with a credit card, which is a nice convenience. These cards can also be bought online before you go--nice to have it available from the start.

The system can be a bit confusing for a newbie, especially transferring from one subway line to another, but the subway personnel are quite helpful, as are the other riders who often volunteer to help you when they see that 'deer in the headlights' look on your face.

DC also has an extensive bus system. I've been told by residents that it is horribly confusing for visitors and to avoid it if at all possible. We only had to use one bus -- to get from the Baltimore airport to the nearest subway station. It's the B30. Have the exact fare ($3.10) if at all possible because drivers don't give change. The subway cards can be used but I could find nowhere to purchase them at the airport (brilliant, eh?).

Arriving at the LC
The LC is located right at the exit of the Capitol South subway station. The LC consists of three large buildings downtown (Jefferson, Adams, and Madison). The microfilm and newspaper collections are in the Madison building -- the ugly slab of granite you see up the hill on your right as you exit from the Capitol South subway station.

Security at the LC is VERY tight -- orders of magnitude greater than anything you'll encounter at other libraries. On your first visit you will have to apply for a reader registration card. Once you go through the airport-style security checkpoint at the entrance of the Madison building you'll go down the left side hallway. You'll see a sign for the cloakroom and reader registration about halfway down the hall. The door is always closed. Go in and hang a right to the registration area. You'll have to have a driver's license or other official ID, fill out a registration form, explain your business to the very jaundiced eye of an interviewer and get photographed. If they're busy this process can take up to an hour. If you already have an ID but it's more than five years old or so expect to have to re-register.

Once you've got your reader registration card you have the run of the library -- not. The next thing you do is relieve yourself of most of your worldly possessions in the cloakroom. All you are allowed to take into the newspaper/microfilm room is a laptop, paper and pens, and a very small clear plastic bag of personal items. The rules about what you may and may not take in change from moment to moment based on the whims of the security personnel. The attendant in the cloakroom may tell you what you can expect to be able to take in, but then you may very well be told something different when you actually get to the microfilm room. If you have a short fuse the LoC is definitely not for you. Sometimes it seems as if the whole mission of the LoC is to see just how much petty bureaucracy it takes before you go completely bonkers and have to be dragged out of the place.

To get to the microfilm room take a left in the hallway as you exit the cloakroom, and then go right at the end of that hall. You'll pass a bank of elevators, then start looking on your left for a set of double doors with a whole bunch of signs on them. Somewhere in that mess of warning and admonition signs it will mention that you have indeed arrived at the microfilm reading room. The door is always closed. Go on in and present yourself to the security person at the desk. This is the putz who will most likely tell you that you've brought in too much stuff and must go back to the cloakroom. Assuming you pass muster you'll have to show our reader card and sign in. Keep that reader card handy -- you'll have to show it again every time you enter the room.

Okay, I got you into the room and that's a good place to stop for the day. Tomorrow we'll press on to actually doing research.

Jim Ivey's new book, Graphic Shorthand, is available from Lulu.com for $19.95 plus shipping, or you can order direct from Ivey for $25 postpaid. Jim Ivey teaches the fundamentals of cartooning in his own inimitable style. The book is 128 pages, coil-bound. Send your order to:

Labels: Jim Ivey's Sunday Comics