I’ll admit it. I’m addicted to the printed word. I’m happiest with a book to read. Pretty much any book.

I went to the British Museum in London last month. It was information overload in many ways, and I will share some thoughts about the exhibitions shortly. It was what I couldn’t see that intrigued me most.

I started my tour in the Enlightenment Gallery, which gives some history and overview to the creation of the British Museum. Thousands of interesting artifacts, yes, but what drew me were the books. Books I couldn’t touch, but would love to read.

The room feels like what you would expect from an English manor, a place where a gentleman would display his collection of curiosities gather on expeditions to far countries. The walls are lined with display cases, and most of what is in the cases are old books. Books I want to read.

There is no need for me to know about Law of Husband and Wife or Master & Servant (Scotland). The books are probably a couple of hundred years old. Those aspects of UK law have no relevance to my life in 21st century Canada. I still would like to read them though. I have a thirst for knowledge.

What would I gain from reading about local government in England from 200 years ago. Maybe not much – but I’ll never know because I haven’t read the book. Nor am I likely to.

Of course, something that old is public domain. It may have been digitized. I could probably download an electronic version. It wouldn’t have the same feel, but the information would be the same.

I thought about doing that, but i have books on my shelves that I have purchased and haven’t read yet. Not for lack of will, but for lack of time. In an ideal world I’d read for about 16 hours daily, but I don’t live in an ideal world.

I didn’t think to ask if it would be permissible to take a book from its case and sit down and read it there. Probably not, but scholars must have access on occasion.

That might be incentive enough to move to England. I doubt my family would agree though.

Still, I must look into it for my next trip.