Members' Room (or Member's Room?)

I visited the Members' Room about two weeks ago and snapped several photos for the curious among us. I also spoke with the two gents 'on duty' at the desk and they confirmed that they do, indeed, read these boards. (Hello good sirs! If you don't like your photo being out on the 'net, just let me know, I'll remove those shots.) They also teased me by confessing that they do know what will be offered next year, but refused to give even a clue! But I suppose August will be here soon enough.

Without further ado, the photos can be viewed here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/10325930@N05/sets/72157618376493078/

I hope the album loads correctly - let me know if it doesn't.

Enjoy!

Thank you for the photos; it is probably as close as I will ever get to actually visiting. Just seeing all those shelves upon shelves of Folio books causes me to drool ... :)

I hate traveling, so I likely will never go there, either. However... have they no security? Those are expensive books; it would be awful if someone stole them (though the thief in question would beg to differ).

Regardless, thank you for the pictures! I've wondered what that room looked like.

They don't have any security, but the FS is rather nondescript. The building is tucked away down a quiet little side street and the entrance is actually in the breezeway, off the street itself. I highly doubt that any criminal even has any idea what treasures live in that plain white and brick building!

When I was last there, there was buzzer the person at the desk had to press to let you in.

It's a pretty intimate experience walking in. The staff greet you and offer to help. The most people I've ever seen in there at a time were three or four.

Ah, the day I went the door was wide open. Probably because it was a gorgeously sunny, warm day in London! A rare treat for them!

The problem I found in this room when I visited it 2 years ago was that, when both desks—the one facing the entrance and the one on the right—are occupied, one doesn't know up to which exact limit one is allowed to look at books on shelves. This is rather clear for the desk facing entrance, because I understood that books in that shelf section had been prepared to be directly collected by members; it's not so clear for the other desk, where the attendant gives the impression to own the books in his/her back and is inevitably disturbed by your passing between the shelves and his/her chair.

Also, I expected to find shelves of slightly damaged books or old books they have in stock but in limited number, which would be sold at very low price. Unfortunately, it doesn't seem to be in the line of this exquisitely select room.

And I still believe that a glass of whisky being freely offered by a young and gentle person would be rather welcomed by the member confortably sitting on the canape and relaxing after a stroll in London.

I guess that means Folio Society members are too nice to do something like that, then, since I've no doubt many would recognize the building! I hope things stay that way, too, but I'm still surprised at the lack of security.

A lovely set of photos to remind me of my visits.

For those fortunate enough to be able to visit, it is great to be able to look at the cover and illustrations of books to help try to make the hard decision of which to purchase next! I found the ordering by title confusing though, as I order by author, ie Dance to the Music of Time, rather than Powell, but that shows my strong preference for fiction.
The ambience of the room is definitely aided by its relaxed informal atmosphere, like a London club room, although not as grand. But coffee please, not whisky, as a drink to stimulate.

Re #7: Pepys, you are obviously a man of highly refined sensibilities! (Single malt, I assume?)

Any Islay whisky will do. (Of course, I'm joking: I'm ready to accept any beverage. ;-)

I did notice one of those self-service water fountain machines in one of the pics, but I do think tea and scones would be more fitting, or coffee and biscuits.

overthemoon - As long as you keep any sticky fingers off the books! ;-)

Mmmmm....tea and scones....

I think Heaven is a giant library full of books, bound in the Folio style, with big, comfy reading chairs, and endless tea, coffee, liquers, scones, and biscuits. There are no crumbs and nothing ever spills...

#14 - Ooo, I second that! Although the trouble with those big beautiful libraries is the lack of cosy warmth. So I'd like to propose one exquisitely designed fireplace which would provide enough heat for all, and perhaps also one of those globes which no library seems to be complete without...

Don't forget a couple of window seats for those who want to watch the world go by as they read. And a cat ... no library is complete without a cat (a very special, hypo-allergenic cat for those unfortunates who are allergic to cats).

I remember being asked what I'd do with the money if I won the lottery, and replying "Buy a nice house in the country, not too big, with a north facing room of a decent size with an open fireplace and a couple of leather armchairs, and..", "why north facing?" somebody interrupts. "Err because then the sun won't err... shine in and err.. bleach any of my err........" trailing off as I realised I was telling everyone my secret fantasy, and getting some rather strange looks in the process.

I would, of course, also have a table by the armchair with a bottle of malt whisky and jug of water on it. Although the jug of water would be for any cats that might be foolish enough to stray within reach.

I'm hoping to visit the Members' Room (for the first time) next week. I understand that it is possible to collect books from there, but does anyone know if it is possible to select books then and there to take away with you on the day? I'm sort of hoping that it's not possible, otherwise the LE Moby Dick might just prove too tempting; then there's the Dante, oh and The Glums and... oh dear! Probably best to leave the credit card at home!

>18 HuxleyTheCat:

You know, I didn't even ask about making a same-day purchase. I'm not sure where you're travelling from, but I just kept reminding myself that there was no room in my suitcase! It is dangerous, all the same, because it is hard to resist ordering, once you've held the lovely tomes in your hands, felt the creamy papers, marveled over the illustrations...

#18 - I haven't yet visited the room but I'm pretty confidant that you can purchase books there and then.
And just looking at the above photos I can see quite a number of sealed volumes, I assume ready and waiting for a willing customer to spot them...

#20 - Hm, I rather suspect that you are correct. It's only a day trip up from the South coast, so no baggage limits to temper temptation, and the photo above makes Moby Dick look even more desirable. How exciting!

I've definitely bought books there and then to take home with me. The last time was a couple of years ago but I presume you still can.

Yes to the fireplace (but either one with gas-heated ceramic radiants or "electric fire," as the smoke and soot from wood burning is not good for the books, yes to the cat (an essential), tea & scones in addition to whisky for those who don't appreciate Scottish nectar (but Speyside malts, please!), and for overthemoon and beatlemoon, I'll provide my homemade kumquat marmalade (this year's batch was particularly yummy!)

Is that the new Walden between Metamorphosis and The Natural History of Selborne? I can't tell. I noticed they don't have any of the new Letterpress Shakespeare on display yet. They were supposed to be out in May but it looks like June now.

You can also call them up before you visit and place an order for pick-up, if you want to increase your chances of something being on hand.

But they also have several copies of most non-special edition books that you can buy and take away on the spot. (I don't know if they have copies of the special books other than those on display.)

It's always dangerous because you may discover yourself wanting books you never considered once you get a chance to pore over them.

The first time I visited the members room though I was a bit disappointed by the decor. For some reason it reminded me of a hospital medical library. I guess I was expecting big wood book shelves.

Does anyone no the identity of the enormous blue book in this photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/10325930@N05/3540546064/in/set-72157618376493078/ ?

wiredreader - I understand and share your disappointment but perhaps we could look at the lack of décor as a sign of folio spending their riches on the books instead?

I think it's The Temple of Flora.

affle, I think you might be right. Thanks!

The big blue book in the photo was indeed the Temple of Flora. Beautiful up close. And I believe that is Walden between Metamorphosis and the Natural History of Selbourne. I was very excited to see it - though Emerson is my favorite transcendentalist, I do love Walden as well.