Undergraduate students, graduate students not yet at the doctoral level, educators, theater professionals, and other individuals may also access the Folger collections.
The length of special-permission reading privileges is determined on a case-by-case basis. Privileges are renewable by reapplication.
Qualifications:
1. Graduate students (post-BA, but not yet at the dissertation stage) who have a research project that requires access to Folger collections.
2. Undergraduates at the junior or senior level who are working on a project for which the Folger provides unique resources.
3. Other scholars or individuals, such as artists, actors, booksellers, professional theater staff, teachers, and writers for whom Folger collections are critical for study, preparation, or production.
To apply: Submit a letter or email outlining your research project, the specific resources you need to consult at the Folger, and research undertaken to date to registrar@folger.edu. You must also supply two letters of reference that verify the your academic qualifications and the relevance of the Folger collection to your research. If you are a graduate student, one letter must be from your advisor. All letters must be from an institutional email address or on preprinted letterhead signed by the referee.
If applying by mail, please address correspondence to:
The Librarian
c/o The Registrar
Folger Shakespeare Library
201 East Capitol St. SE
Washington, DC 20003
