Introduction

The Faculty of Modern Languages has an established tradition of using original library materials (including early printed books, etc.) not only for research but also for teaching at all levels. In supporting this, the Taylor Institution Library has sought to acquire books of valuable academic content for use by academics and students alike, rather than focus on fine or pristine editions.

The Library recognises that its collections provide opportunities for valuable user engagement activities. This document highlights some of the ways the Library is able to support these activities, and the related procedures in place. There are opportunities for public engagement across the Bodleian Libraries.

Exhibitions

Bodleian Library/Weston Library

Short-term Displays
The Bodleian Library may be able to provide display cases in the Weston Library for small exhibitions to coincide with workshops and conferences. These displays are normally on view for a few days only. They are open to the public. Materials on display must be held by the Bodleian Library/Weston Library.

Larger Displays
Proposals are also welcomed for larger displays in the Weston Library or the Proscholium to the Old Library. Proposals should be submitted at least one year in advance. Displays usually last for up to eight weeks.

Major Exhibitions
Major, longer term exhibitions are held in the Weston Library’s temporary exhibition gallery. They are planned several years in advance. Examples include Shakespeare’s Dead (2016).

Your Subject Librarian can put you in touch with the relevant Bodleian/Weston staff member/s if you would like to discuss curating a display or exhibition in one of the above-mentioned spaces.  If a physical display space is not available, then a virtual display may be another option, making use of the interactive screens in Blackwell Hall.

Taylor Institution Library

Exhibitions in the Taylor Institution Library are held in the Voltaire Room. They are designed to showcase the Taylorian’s collections. They are on view for approximately two weeks and are not open to the general public, but can be made more visible through blog posts, exhibition catalogues, accompanying events, and social media.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Academics and students are very welcome to curate such exhibitions, in liaison with the relevant Subject Librarian. Please be aware that many Subject Librarians work part-time only. Hence it is highly advisable to contact your Subject Librarian at least 2-3 months in advance to discuss an exhibition proposal.

Conferences

If you are organising a conference or other event and think an accompanying exhibition appropriate, this should be factored in at the very beginning of the planning process and discussed with your Subject Librarian at that time. Any accompanying exhibition catalogue or other publication should also be discussed at this stage.

Temporary displays

If you are organising an event that does not require a full exhibition (e.g to accompany a research seminar/evening event), the Library may be able to help organise a temporary display. Display items are selected and shown in the appropriate seminar room for the duration of the event rather than in the Voltaire Room exhibition cases. Please contact your Subject Librarian at least 4 weeks in advance to discuss temporary displays.

Conservation/Vulnerable Materials

In order to preserve our collections for continued use by researchers, the Library reserves the right to withhold items from exhibitions if they are fragile or otherwise unsuitable for display.

Library Staff Support

• The Library is happy to assist with promoting the exhibition. Library staff will help produce and print posters, will circulate details to college libraries, and will promote the exhibition on appropriate mailing lists and the Library’s website, as well as through social media. Poster design must be finalised four weeks before the exhibition. It should include the phrase “Taylor Institution Library” and the Bodleian Libraries’ logo. If you require professional quality printing this must be arranged separately. The Library is not able to cover external printing costs.
• Captions, details of book openings and accompanying display text must be provided at least two weeks in advance, to allow for consistent formatting and laminating (which will be done by the Library). Text will be headed with the phrase “Taylor Institution Library” and the Bodleian Libraries’ logo.
• Library staff will install the exhibition on the date agreed. Given sufficient notice, library staff may be able to collaborate in presenting the exhibition.
• Exhibition catalogues: See Print on Demand Publications (below).

 

Print on Demand Publications

The Library is able to publish short-run publications such as exhibition catalogues, translations and facsimiles of out-of-copyright texts.  These publications must make use of the Library’s collections in some way.  The published books are then available from online booksellers such as Blackwell’s, Waterstone’s and Amazon. The title page should include the phrase “Taylor Institution Library” and the Bodleian Libraries’ logo.

Please discuss your requirements with Emma Huber, Subject Librarian for German and the Library’s digital publications co-ordinator, at least 3 months before your desired publication date.

Approximately 40 copies must be sold in order for the library to break even on the publication costs.  Conference organisers are advised to factor the price of the catalogue (usually about £3) into the conference fee and provide each delegate with a copy in order to ensure costs are covered. If Print on Demand is not suitable for your publication, please still discuss this with Emma Huber, as alternative solutions may be available.

 

Taylor Institution Library Blog

The Taylor Institution Library blog is curated by the staff of the Taylor Institution Library.

The aim of the blog is to highlight items of interest in the Library’s collections and contribute to bibliographical scholarship in modern languages and linguistics. Contributions focus on important new acquisitions, items in the Taylorian’s Special Collections, less well-known materials, unusual or alternative formats, and projects, events and research using the Library’s collections.

Guest posts on the Taylorian blog are very welcome.  Posts are published on a two-weekly cycle (approximately). Please speak to your Subject Librarian at the beginning of the exhibition planning stages if you would like your post to coincide with a particular event. Posts must discuss the Library’s collections in some way, but do not have to relate to an exhibition or event.

Other library blogs which welcome guest posts include:

The Conveyor: Research in Special Collections at the Bodleian Library

Archives and Manuscripts at the Bodleian Library

Social Media

The library has Twitter and Facebook accounts, both with a large readership.  The library usually retweets anything which makes reference to the library’s collections, which can help to raise the profile of researchers and their work.  Remember to include @TAYoxford in your tweets, and if posting images from our collections please remember to check they are out of copyright, and reference them properly with a shelf mark!

Library-related hash tags to which you might wish to contribute include:

#marginaliamonday   #woodcutwednesday   #flyleaffriday

Library accounts to follow:

Taylor Institution Library @TAYoxford

Bodleian Libraries @bodleianlibs

Bodleian Libraries Special Collections @bodleiancsb

Bodleian Conservation @BodCons

Please feel free to get in touch if you have any more suggestions or would like more information about any of the topics covered in this blog.