Vol 6 Issue 6 March 2007 V2.pub - Highcliffe School

Cassie Hearn
The first day, at the library
I arrive at 9am to find the staff drinking coffee; they offer me a drink and then begin to ask me
questions. The staff show me around the library and explain all the different sections and the
methods for the sequence of the books. In the library there are lots of different sections; comics,
novels – such as crime fiction and science fiction. There is also a non-fiction section with autobiographies
and encyclopaedias. On the second floor there are comics, novels, fairy-tales and nonfiction
books for children. At 2pm I arrive back from lunch and go over to the theatre to be shown
around. The theatre is huge and very contemporary; the outside walls are made of glass and inside
there are huge bright orange metal panels. In the theatre there are three main sections of
seating. The stage is very large and above it, we were shown ‘la grille’ where the technicians
control the lighting and the scenery using weights.
The second day of work
I arrive at nine for a coffee and a chat with the staff. Shortly after a group of children from the
primary school arrive. Marie-Pascal (my supervisor) reads the children a book and explains to
them the lay-out of the library and the activity they will be doing that morning. They all form
groups and then go on a treasure hunt to search for certain books! After lunch I go to the museum
to be introduced to my supervisor for the day. Her name is Christine and she is very kind.
We talk for a while about where I am from and my hobbies and I
ask her about her family. Then she shows me the museum, it’s
really interesting. On the ground floor there is a big library full of
ancient books from the 17 th , 18th and 19 th centuries. The books
cover many subjects such as history, medicine, literature etc. On
the book cabinets there are photographs of trees which are a part
of the current exhibition ‘l’arbre’. On the first floor there are lots
of ancient paintings as well as a series of Napoleon’s books. His
books explore his discoveries of plants, animals as well as places.
In the same room, there is also a collection of insects containing
many types of beetles, fossils and ancient artefacts. On the second
floor there are lots of photos these are all for the current exhibition.
The exposition changes every three months and comprises
of lots of photos and explores different photographer’s perceptions
of magnificent trees. In the exposition there are some
old photos from the 1940’s along side some from 2004 this makes
for an interesting comparison and fusion of contemporary and
more traditional art.
The third day of work, at the museum
In the morning Mathilde offers to show me some of the books in the big library downstairs. She
shows me the oldest book in the library which is from 1432; it is preserved in a special paper wallet
as it is no longer bound together. I am also shown books from the 17 th century and the 18 th
century. The French in the 17 th century books is difficult to understand and Mathilde tells me that
people train in 17 th century French in order to understand those
books.
However, the books from the 18 th century are much closer to modern-day
French and therefore more easily understood. After that, I
see the first children’s books from the 19 th century and Mathilde
explains the different types of engraving and how much work
went into the coloured engravings. She also tells me about the
different types of paper and how it has evolved from parchment
(made from goat skin) to paper made from cloth and vegetable
oils and now to modern day paper with water. I found it really interesting to find out about the
progression in coverings, engravings and paper.
The whole experience was really useful and interesting; the people in Pont-Audemer were all
lovely and always willing to help. I would also like to thank Mr Maurice and Mrs Karanja for this
opportunity and all their help.
H2U, Vol 6 Issue 6 March 2007 Page 28