Centre for Medieval & Renaissance Studies, Oxford - Head graphic

SUMMER PROGRAMME

Summer Resources

Computer Facilities

CMRS has a networked AppleMac computing system with permanent access to the internet. The Computer Room, open 24 hours a day, has AppleMacs and a cross-platform printer for general use. There are ethernet points in teaching rooms and every study-bedroom in St Michael’s Hall, and most of the building is covered by wireless networks. Students are encouraged to bring laptops.

Libraries

Oxford has one of the world’s largest and most varied collections of manuscripts and printed books. The main libraries to which CMRS Summer students enjoy access are the following:

Feneley Library at CMRS

This library, with a collection of about 20,000 volumes, contains the standard works and reference books required for the seminars, as well as several specialized collections of value mainly to graduates. The rapid growth of the library has been made possible by regular purchases and by several donations, most notably from the Charles Wolfson Charitable Trust, the Margaret Thatcher Charitable Trust and the Benevolent Aid Fund. The library received a collection of incunabula and early printed books from the Society of St John the Evangelist in 1978, and the Geraldine Norman Collection of art auction catalogues in 1980. Most books can now be accessed from the computer terminal in the foyer outside the library. The Card Catalogue is located in the cabinet in the Computer Lab and is in author order. The shelfmark is located at the top right of each card.

The Charles Williams Collection

This collection of books, articles, biographies and photographs has been placed on loan at CMRS by the Charles Williams Society. Charles Williams (1886-1945) was a poet, novelist and theologian who spent his working life from 1908 until his death at the Oxford University Press. With his friends C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien he was a founder member of the ‘Inklings’, a literary, philosophical and theological discussion group based in Oxford between the wars.

Pusey House

Pusey House, opened in 1884, was founded to commemorate the work of Edward Bouverie Pusey (1800-1882), the reforming theologian. It is one of the two best theological libraries in Oxford with exceptional holdings of manuscript and printed materials relating to the Oxford Movement. The Library charges £5 for a reader’s ticket.

Oxford Central Library

All CMRS students may obtain tickets for this free library which houses, in addition to its main lending and reference sections, material of interest for specialist research, particularly in the field of local history.