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Compared to working in Dublin, working in Oxford is fantastic. In Dublin, I had practically no access to university libraries, as they gave access mainly to their own students and alumni. Now, you could apply (and pay for) for a week’s access (no borrowing though), but it took c. three weeks between posting the application and getting the result. And in commercial archaeology, three weeks were rare occasions. By the time I realised I needed the information, maybe I had one week left before my deadline. Often it was quicker to email my mother in Sweden, and ask her to go to the university library* in a nearby town and photocopy the relevant article, and then post it to me.
In Oxford, I have access to the Bodleian library (Oxford’s main university library) and through them some of the individual department libraries, thanks to my job, as they think reader’s cards are necessary for doing proper research. And if Oxford doesn’t have what I need I can go in to London for the British Library. Admittedly, you need to apply for a reader’s card there, but it can be done on the same day provided you bring the necessary papers. So wonderfully convenient.
I’m so glad I have access to these two libraries. They have a surprising amount of books and journals from all over Europe, not only the big ones, but smaller regional journals too. Today I’ve been looking up potential sites and background information for my Ph.D. application, mainly using the big Medieval urban craft book (yes, I caved in and invested - it was worth it). I’ve been focusing on northern Germany and Scandinavia, looking for site references in the bibliographies. Often these are only published in local journals (if they get published at all), which are easy to find if you’re at a well-stocked library in that country, but not so easy if you’re elsewhere.
Thanks to online catalogues, such as COPAC (university and research libraries in the UK) and Libris (university libraries and some larger council libraries in Sweden) I’ve managed to find all the relevant articles and books. Some are in Oxford, some at British Library. One is technically at the British Library, but has been mislaid. My other options are University College London (one week reader’s card: £7 if it’s for private research) and the archaeological department’s library at Lund University (postage costs and train ticket).
I’m so grateful for these online catalogues. Instead of checking individual university libraries (only choosing universities where I know people) I get several options at once and can pick whichever is most convenient and hopefully be able to get hold of the book at once rather than waiting several weeks for an interlibrary loan. Now I just need to find the time to head off to London - thankfully the library is open late at weekdays if I don't want to go in on a Saturday.
*: University libraries are public in Sweden - you only need to be connected to the university if you want to borrow the books.
In Oxford, I have access to the Bodleian library (Oxford’s main university library) and through them some of the individual department libraries, thanks to my job, as they think reader’s cards are necessary for doing proper research. And if Oxford doesn’t have what I need I can go in to London for the British Library. Admittedly, you need to apply for a reader’s card there, but it can be done on the same day provided you bring the necessary papers. So wonderfully convenient.
I’m so glad I have access to these two libraries. They have a surprising amount of books and journals from all over Europe, not only the big ones, but smaller regional journals too. Today I’ve been looking up potential sites and background information for my Ph.D. application, mainly using the big Medieval urban craft book (yes, I caved in and invested - it was worth it). I’ve been focusing on northern Germany and Scandinavia, looking for site references in the bibliographies. Often these are only published in local journals (if they get published at all), which are easy to find if you’re at a well-stocked library in that country, but not so easy if you’re elsewhere.
Thanks to online catalogues, such as COPAC (university and research libraries in the UK) and Libris (university libraries and some larger council libraries in Sweden) I’ve managed to find all the relevant articles and books. Some are in Oxford, some at British Library. One is technically at the British Library, but has been mislaid. My other options are University College London (one week reader’s card: £7 if it’s for private research) and the archaeological department’s library at Lund University (postage costs and train ticket).
I’m so grateful for these online catalogues. Instead of checking individual university libraries (only choosing universities where I know people) I get several options at once and can pick whichever is most convenient and hopefully be able to get hold of the book at once rather than waiting several weeks for an interlibrary loan. Now I just need to find the time to head off to London - thankfully the library is open late at weekdays if I don't want to go in on a Saturday.
*: University libraries are public in Sweden - you only need to be connected to the university if you want to borrow the books.