Artwork in the Corridor to the South Reading Room

Quotation and Fountain

Artwork located in the Corridor to the North Reading Room

A Little Learning is
A Dangerous Thing. Drink Deep
Or Taste Not, the Pierian Spring

This quotation is from Alexander Pope’s “A Little Learning” and it means that a little learning both excites and stupefies us, while extensive learning or “drinking deeply” makes us sober and wise.

The fountain once worked, but the plumbing was removed years ago.