Op-Ed: Speed dating at the British Library

London - Like books? Like intelligent women? You can combine the two at the British Library next week, but whoever devised this novel event has a poor sense of timing.

The person responsible appears to be the Library's Artist in Residence, a happy chappy named Christopher Green. The good news is that it is for readers only, so you are probably not invited. Apart from Yours Truly, who will most definitely not be attending, there is one regular contributor to this site who also uses the Library. I doubt he'll be going either. This curious event is being held between 3pm and 7pm, which is four hours that can be better spent reading. And the date? September 11. Great timing, Chris. Those who are interested in something topical which does not require a reader's ticket or even a visit will find it on the Library's dedicated sound website. According to the latest Reader Bulletin, "To celebrate the London 2012 Olympics, we are making available a selection of 61 oral history interviews documenting the lives and careers of sportsmen and sportswomen throughout the twentieth century". Doubtless more will be added in due course, perhaps after the Paralympics.