As many of you have already seen, yesterday the Folger announced our reopening plans, which are scheduled to kick off on Friday, November 17, 2023. Hurrah!
In light of this announcement, we want to share some additional information about the reading room and welcoming researchers back to the Folger. Below, please find a letter to our research community:
Dear Folger Researchers,
It has been far too long since we have come together to pore over manuscripts, compare editions of early modern books, and chat with old friends over tea.
You may have already seen the press release announcing our official reopening date of November 17, 2023, and we look forward to welcoming visitors familiar and new to our renovated building. The Reading Room will open along with the rest of the Folger Shakespeare Library building and we hope that you can join us for that celebration.
As you plan your visit to the Folger—whether it’s your first or your hundredth—here are some things to note about our plans and services as we reopen:
- We have prioritized access to our rare collections in this first phase of reopening. Modern collections will be available in early 2024.
- In-person Reading Room hours in the first phase of reopening will be Tuesday through Friday, 11 a.m. — 4 p.m. These will be adjusted as we expand services. Virtual Reading Room appointments will be available on Mondays for remote consultation of materials. (Look for more information about this new service this summer!)
- Long-term and short-term Folger Fellows will begin their residential visits in early 2024. Institute Scholarly Programs will be announced in early May.
- We anticipate that staff will be able to begin working on the backlog of reference requests in November.
Further details about new and improved Reading Room services, new furnishings, and request system features will be communicated in August. In the meantime, please reach out with questions to reference@folger.edu or institute@folger.edu.
We are excited to welcome you back to the Folger!
Greg Prickman, Eric Weinmann Librarian and Director of Collections
Owen Williams, Interim Executive Director of the Folger Institute and Associate Director for Scholarly Programs
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