Using the BL #2

This latest blog in the Using the BL series looks at the support and training that is available to students. You will need to be a registered reader (see Using the BL #1) if you want to benefit from the support though many enquiries can be made in advance and remotely.

So, if you have an enquiry, contact the BL’s Reference team. They can help you with bibliographical enquiries, advise you which collections are best to use and how, and provide a range of workshops and introductory sessions to help you make best of the library. You can also search their Knowledge Base for answers to questions asked by readers in the past.

The British Library runs Training programme 2013 which are free workshops covering “Finding Early Western Printed Books in the British Library”, “Information Skills-Navigating research in the British Library”, “Making the most of the Humanities Reading Room” and Wikipedia workshops. You will need to book a place.

Usually in winter, Doctoral Open Days “offer specially tailored workshops and networking opportunities, focusing on your research subject, to help you get the most out of our resources and facilities.” Details of dates will be emailed to the History Faculty graduate training mailing list. They are very popular and early booking is strong advised. The next ones are not until late autumn.

Lost looking for sources in the BL maze? A good starting point are the guides. Search by subject, time-period, geographic location, language or resource type. The video “Exploring the collections: the researcher” is an informative introduction what is around – as  well as being artistic, creative and a 2 minute joy to watch.

Related links

How to register and use the British Library (Using the BL #1).

Electronic resources in the British Library not held in Oxford (Using the BL #3)