medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
Catherine Gunn wrote:
> medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
>
> Dear colleagues
>
> the mail about the BL made me think of an issue I’ve been considering
> mentioning to the list for a while. I am an independent scholar, and
> fortunate enough to live close enough to both Cambridge and London to
> use the CUL and BL regularly, but there seem to be a number of
> independent scholars and other outsiders on the list who often post
> pleas for help since they don’t have access to decent academic
> libraries. Advice that an article is readily available through jstor
> doesn’t help if you are not affiliated to an institution and so don’t
> have an Athens password.
>
> I have noticed occasional exclamations of surprise at the ignorance of
> some of those posting questions – this is rare since members of the
> list tend to be very supportive – but it would be good to remember
> that not everyone has enjoyed the same educational advantages and
> privileges. My own ignorance of a medieval Latin term was shamefully
> exposed once – I was fortunate enough to learn classical Latin in the
> good old days when it was taught in Grammar schools, but turned to
> medieval studies late in life and have had to pick up medieval Latin
> as I go along.
>
> The BL and this list are important resources for ‘outsiders’ (yes, you
> can be made to feel like that!) – thank you for everyone who has
> answered my questions in the past, but I wonder whether it would be
> possible to organise any support for independent scholars, and what
> particular problems are encountered by those working in a field like
> medieval religion without the support of a recognised institution?
>
> with best wishes to all,
>
> Cate
>
I am an independent scholar without an institution. Here in the US, a
number of the public libraries provide Interlibrary Loan, & that in
Seattle cannot be praised enough for the trouble they have/it has gone
to to acquire obscure Greek books for me. I "own" 2 lists, Serenissima
& TheCity, where one of the group definitions is helping disadvantaged
members with sources -- this includes book give-aways, posting scans of
texts, mailing photocopies. Any of us who has acquired a PhD has been
the recipient of great generosity for generations & it is my conviction
we each individually owe it where we can.
DW
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