Shakespeare Institute Library

The Shakespeare Institute Library is a major UK resource for the study of English Renaissance literature. 

Study spaces 

The library has study desks on the ground and first floors, with additional lighting and sockets for laptop use. 

Computers 

There is a computer cluster on the ground floor of the library, with access to subscribed e-resources, the library catalogue, the internet and Microsoft Office packages. You will need your Active Directory username and password to log in. Visitors can sign up for temporary access.

Wireless 

Wireless access is available throughout the library and the Shakespeare Institute premises.

Photocopying and printing 

The Shakespeare Institute Library has a Multifunctional Device (MFD) that operates under the University's managed print system. It can be used to print, photocopy and scan to University email addresses. See our main printing, photocopying and scanning page for more information.

Scanner 

A networked pc in the ground floor cluster is connected to a scanner, and is equipped with scanning software.

Assistive software 

One of the computers in the ground floor cluster has assistive technology to aid computer usage for the partially sighted.

Audio visual room 

On the ground floor of the library the audio visual room has multi-region DVD/video players, microfilm/fiche with printing and scanning facilities, a microcard reader, and audio equipment.

Touchstone 

Touchstone contains information on performances of Shakespeare and his contemporaries in the UK. You will also find links to other Shakespeare Libraries in the West Midlands: 

• Shakespeare Centre Library and Archive (Stratford-upon-Avon)
• Birmingham Shakespeare Library (Birmingham City Library)

The Library serves the teaching and research of the Shakespeare Institute, Stratford-upon-Avon, and provides a resource for undergraduate and research students from the Birmingham campus. It has an international reputation and is used by Shakespeare academics and scholars from around the world as well as readers with a general interest in the subject. 

Please note that the majority of the book stock cannot be borrowed. This ensures that all items are available to library users unless actively being used by another reader on the premises. A small Long Loan collection serves the MA courses run by the Shakespeare Institute. The book collections are searchable by the University of Birmingham online catalogue.

The Rare Book and Archive Collections of the Shakespeare Institute Library have been temporarily re-housed in the Special Collections Department due to a malfunction in the storage area in which they were held. These materials are available for consultation in Special Collections. 

Contact the department in advance to request anything required: special-collections@bham.ac.uk / Tel: 0121 414 5839.

All libraries and resource centres offer the following services:

• Book fetching
• Stock transfer
• Assistive software on all PCs

N.B.These services are available in the Shakespeare Institute Library at all times when the library is open.

Facilities and access  

• Accessible toilets
• Quiet/silent study area
• Wheelchair Access

Specialist equipment

This site has the following equipment available:

• Bar magnifier
• Cassette player
• Hand-held portable video magnifier (CCTV)
• Literacy software (Text HELP Read & Write)
• Magnifying glass
• Magnifying sheet
• Screen magnification software (ZoomText)
• Screen-reader software (Jaws)
• Speaking text-scanning software (Kurzweil 1000)
• Text scanning

Additional information

• For general information please see the Disability and Learning Support Service web site which includes information for both students with disabilities and their Admissions Tutors.
• Edgbaston Campus mobility map (PDF - 373KB)  showing access to buildings and the location of disabled toilets on the Campus.