The Library is Open

A very warm welcome to the Global Library project! In our first blogpost we would like to introduce you to the project, the team, and the resources you can explore on our website.

English and Scottish Scholars at the Global Library, 1500-1700, or The Global Library Project, combines research on early-modern English and Scottish encounters with libraries abroad and the significance of libraries to refugee, migrant, and transient communities, both then and now. United by the theme of ‘libraries beyond borders’, the project combines historical, literary, sociological and anthropological methodologies and perspectives.

Top left: Principle Investigator, Dr John-Mark Philo. Top Right: Global Library, and bottom: A workshop in progress.

Our Principle Investigator, Dr John-Mark Philo

Works on both sides of the project. He researches Scottish and English travel and engagement with scholarly libraries abroad, and is currently working on Scottish engagement with Italian libraries in the 16th and 17th centuries. He is also very active on the outreach side of our project, facilitating and running outreach events at our partner organisations, including the Millennium Library in Norwich and the Dereham Aid Centre. He also provides tailored support for members of the migrant, refugee and asylum seeker communities in Norwich. 

Our Senior Research Associate in Anthropology, Dr Fariba Alamgir

Analyses how public libraries in the UK are operating as a space for social connectivity, integration, and information access for asylum seekers and refugees. Her research includes examining the role of libraries in shaping the barriers and opportunities the refugees and asylum seekers experience in knowing the city and community, learning English language and culture, accessing support, and building social networks. She also actively works on the outreach side of the project, building relationships with the members of the refugee and asylum seeker communities and stakeholders in partner organisations.

Our Senior Research Associate in History, Dr Nailya Shamgunova

Works on early modern travel and encounter. Her current research focuses on the role of libraries as sightseeing spaces in the early Grand Tour and on English and Scottish engagement with the written word in Muslim lands, including the Ottoman Empire and Morocco. She takes an active part in designing impact measurement tools and tracking the overall impact of the project.

Recent events

Our recent events include a poetry workshop for refugees and asylum seekers at the Millennium Library in Norwich, organised in partnership with the British Centre for Literary Translation, as well as employability workshops for refugees and newcomers to Norfolk, delivered in collaboration with the Shaw Trust.

Our website includes resources for scholars, industry professionals and the members of the refugee and asylum seeker communities. You can find information about people and libraries we work on and resources for building your own outreach events, including poetry workshops and impact measurement tools.

Please feel free to have a look around!