Let’s get digital: Senate House Library event showcases benefits of Virtual Reading Room

The Virtual Reading Room service enables researchers to make online appointments to consult the Library’s Special Collections and Archives remotely, no matter where they are based. The purchase and launch of the Virtual Reading Room service was supported by the Convocation Trust. 

Appointments take place via video call on Microsoft Teams and are facilitated by a staff member of the Library’s Special Collections Reading Room team, who share requested materials through a high-resolution camera. The service is free and open to Library members as well as external researchers.

On 25 February, Dr Karen Attar (Curator of Rare Books and University Art), James Hill (Customer Service Supervisor: Special Collections) and Argula Rublack (Academic Librarian: History) will demonstrate how researchers can integrate the VRR service into their research and teaching. This will be followed by a demonstration of the VRR accompanied by a short talk by Dr Michael Durrant (Lecturer in Book History at the Institute of English Studies) on ‘Her Booke’: Mrs Morgan, Lady Norcliffe, and Sister Martin. 

Dr Durrant’s talk will explore two copies of Charles I’s bestselling memoir, Eikon Basilike (1648/9), which are both held at Senate House Library. He will trace the books' long histories of female ownership, highlighting the special roles they have played in women's lives during significant milestones such as birthdays, marriages and deaths.

Following Dr Durrant’s talk, a question and answer session will take place, as well as opportunities for hands-on interaction with the VRR equipment and rare books from Senate House Library’s collections.

Dr Michael Durrant said:

“The launch of Senate House Library’s Virtual Reading Room marks a transformative step in expanding global access to our esteemed Special Collections. This digital initiative not only democratizes rare materials but also reflects the historical movement of books—objects that have long connected individuals across time and place. 

“Through the lens of female book ownership in two printed texts from our collections, I will reaffirm the point, exploring how books serve as enduring vessels of memory, continuity, and connection.”

The event will take place in the Seng Tee Lee seminar room in Senate House Library and online via Teams. If attending in person, tea, coffee and refreshments will be provided.

This event is free to attend and open to all but booking is essential.