Strange New World: Folger Resources for Online Learning and Teaching

I think Miranda will forgive the paraphrase when we say it’s a strange new world out there right now. For many of us, our lives have been turned upside down in the last week (has it really only been a week?), and we suddenly find ourselves needing to rapidly figure out how to work, teach, and study in a remote/virtual environment.  

If you were following the #FolgerTea thread on Twitter last week, you’ll have seen a list of resources to help support virtual teaching and learning. If you’re not familiar with our weekly Twitter meet-up, you can learn about the history of Folger Tea and our transition to a virtual environment in this lovely interview our friends at The Recipes Project did with the Folger Institute Program Assistants, Leah Thomas and Haylie Swenson. 

In this post, we wanted to expand on the list from Twitter a bit. In some ways (okay, in many ways), we here at the Folger are lucky: because of our building renovation, the Researcher Services team has already begun planning ways that we can provide virtual reference services and support our researchers from afar. 

So, read on to find out more about our service offerings and resources during this time: 

Ask A Librarian! 

Our Ask A Librarian form is the best way to contact a reference librarian. We’ve updated this page to include links to other resources (many of which are included on this page as well), as well as information about what sorts of questions we can help you answer. 

We’re also thrilled to now be able to offer Virtual Reference Appointments. Whether you have questions about finding Shakespeare, early modern history, or theater history materials, have specific questions about what is held in the collection at the Folger Shakespeare Library, or just want to discuss your research project with someone who can point you to resources, we are here for you. 

Sign up for a virtual reference appointment with a Folger librarian! Submit your question and preferred time (EDT) via our Ask A Librarian form and we will get back to you to schedule your appointment along with a Zoom link. The Zoom platform allows us to share our screens with you and talk one on one to help you, wherever you are!¹

Digital Research Resources 

Digital opportunities abound to help you invigorate online research for yourself and for all levels of instruction. Below, we’ve compiled some helpful sources for you to use and share. As always, if you have a question, we’re happy to help via our Ask A Librarian form.  

Freely Available Digital Resources list on Folgerpedia: Conveniently organized alphabetically (hey, we’re librarians), loads of resources that are freely available on the web for you and your students.  

The Folger Shakespeare: our new digital edition of Shakespeare’s works! The successor to Folger Digital Texts, this new site now includes explanatory content alongside the edited editions you know and love. 

Miranda: Explore images, audio, video, data sets, and bibliographic info from the Folger collections on Miranda. Download cropped image details using the “current view” option. 

Shakespeare Unlimited Podcast: Episodes from the Folger podcast Shakespeare Unlimited make great assignments! Available on a variety of platforms, and in transcript.  

Folger Blogs: In addition to The Collation, make sure you check out Shakespeare and Beyond as well! 

Digital Image Collections on LUNA: You can now download high-res files of many of the images in our collections! Make sure to play with the Mirador viewer which allows you to compare images not only from the Folger collection, but from other collections using IIIF. We’ve got a helpful guide to get you started. 

Early Modern Manuscripts Online: Want to set a transcription exercise for your students but you’re not too sure of your own skills? Check out EMMO, where we have dozens of fully transcribed manuscripts. With the ability to set the view to image only or parallel image and transcription, it’s easy to check your work! Helpful tips for transcription can be found on the site as well. 

Shakespeare Documented: Over 500 items documenting Shakespeare’s life and works in his own time. A great site for primary source assignments and research. 

Early Modern English Drama: When you need a break from the Bard (and who doesn’t, occasionally?), check out EMED for information on over 400 other early modern plays, with fully edited digital editions of 29 of them. Get to know Marlowe, Nash, Dekker, Massinger, and more! 

We hope these resources help meet your ever-evolving needs. And, as we might have mentioned once or twice, the Folger is here for our community! Reach out to us and we’ll do our best to help you find (or figure out!) what you need. 

Stay safe, everyone! In Helen’s words: 

What is infirm from your sound parts shall fly,
 Health shall live free, and sickness freely die. 

(All’s Well that Ends Well, 2.1.186-187)