Rules for admissions and usage
Admission for and usage of the modern (post-1830) collection:
• Non-members of the College must make appointments in advance.
• Appointments are provided to consult texts specified in advance; requests for general or on-going access to the Library should be made in writing to the Fellow Librarian in the first instance.
• Please supply full bibliographic details of the item you wish to consult, including the call number; readers requesting items available in Oxford University libraries will be referred to those libraries.
• Photographic identification will be required (Oxford University or Bodleian cards are preferred, but other forms of photo identification may be accepted).
• Access to the Library is usually via a flight of stairs (no lift is available). Please let staff know in advance if this is likely to cause you any difficulties.
• Staff have the discretion not to produce any book or other object that they decide is too fragile, too damaged or in any other way unfit for consultation.
• Library rules must be followed at all times. This includes:
o No food (including sweets and chewing gum) and no drink (including water).
o Use of Laptops is permitted, but all sounds must be disabled (the College does not accept responsibility for any item brought onto the site).
o Mobile phones must be silenced; calls must not be made or taken.
o You must leave if the fire alarm sounds or if asked to do so by a member of staff.
Special collections (early printed books, manuscripts and archives)
Admissions:
• Appointments must be made in writing (or via email) in advance for named individuals.
• Please supply as much information about the material you would like to consult in advance (if possible, provide shelfmarks or call numbers for early printed books, and Coxe catalogue numbers for manuscripts - see Catalogues and collections).
• If material is available elsewhere and/or in surrogate form (e.g. digital, microfilm etc.) please explain why access to the physical item at Corpus is required.
• Photographic identification, proof of signature and proof of address will be required on the day of your appointment; passport or driving licence are preferred; British Library Reader Pass or County Archive Research Network (CARN) readers’ ticket will be accepted with additional proof of permanent address.
• Graduate and undergraduate students must also supply a letter on headed paper, in advance, from their supervisor or other appropriate referee confirming access to the material is necessary for their studies.
• Access to the underground strong rooms, where the special collections are stored and consulted, is via a flight of stairs (no lift is available). Please let staff know in advance if this is likely to cause you any difficulties.
• Staff have the discretion not to produce any book, manuscript or other object that they decide is too fragile, too damaged or in any other way unfit for consultation.
Usage:
• Readers are expected at all times to use proper book supports provided by staff.
• The use of pens to take notes is strictly prohibited. Only pencils may be used.
• No food (including sweets and chewing gum) and no drink (including water).
• Avoid touching the leaves, except when turning them.
• Nothing may be placed on the book except a piece of blank paper used to follow a written text.
• Do not write or make marks in any book, manuscript or document.
• Do not make tracings or rubbings without permission.
• Photocopying is strictly prohibited.
• If you wish to take your own digital images for private research please ask the Archivist or Librarian supervising you on the day. Staff reserve the right to refuse requests (flash photography is never permitted).
• Information about ordering professional images and the use of such images in published works can be found on the web pages on Imaging services.
• Desk space is restricted (there are only two reader spaces).
• It is often possible to use a laptop (however, access to a power point cannot be guaranteed).
• There is a place to leave bags and coats (the College does not accept responsibility for any item brought onto the site).
