Yesterday evening after a Chopin and Beethoven concert at the Sheldonian Theatre, we walked back to Worcester College.

Every college in Oxford (and Cambridge for that matter) has a single entrance for scholars, students and other folks staying at that college. You have to pass through a large wooden door after you gain access by waving your card before the security panel. But once inside the door, you also have to pass by the porter’s lodge where the porters monitor everyone going in and out. They are there for security certainly but also to answer questions and give help.

Anyway, as we walked through the door, I waved at the porter and notice he was reading a book. I asked him how long his shift was going to last and learned he was there all night. Then I just impulsively asked him what he was reading to pass his time. That started a ten-minute conversation at least about the book he had in his hands, the book he had set aside, and the book he had just finished which he thought I would like.

The book he had set aside was about quantum mechanics. He showed me the printouts he had made which included the periodic table, a list of the electron shells of all the atoms, and some other pages. He said he had gotten about 60 pages into the book and then just switched to a book about the impact geography has on the potential and power of various world regions.

Then he told me about this other book which a student had given him and showed me the title on his computer screen. Apparently, he and the student had exchanged books.

I am just struck by how people here are still reading hard copy books. But also struck that at Oxford no one stops learning and reading.