Information for Visiting Researchers
For the past ten days I have been working in the library at this CSIC research institute. The EEA occupies a 14th century Morisco complex, the Casas del Chapiz, so it feels a bit like a museum rather than a research centre.
The Library
The library consists of one small reading room and closed access bookstacks. All books are fetched by the library staff and borrowing is not permitted. As of April 2009 there was no wifi available, but there are two computers for consulting the catalogue.
Registering
The only documentation I was asked to show the librarian when registering as a reader was my passport. The assistant library staff are Concha de la Torre de Benito and Yusuf Idris Martínez Fernández, who both speak some English.
Catalogue
The combined catalogue for all CSIC institutions including the EEA is at:
The catalogue is also accessible in English but with reduced functionality.
Photocopying and Mss Reproductions
I ordered a CD of a manuscript (51 folios) held in the collection and the total charge was EUR 30.00. I sent an email to the librarian, Miriam Font Ugalde, with my request a few days before my arrival and was given the CD when I got to the library.
Most of their manuscripts are included in the catalogue listed above. A list is also included on the EEA website:
Photocopies cost approximately EUR 0.05 per page.
Useful links
- Escuela de Estudios Árabes (most of the website is accessible in English) – http://www.eea.csic.es/
- Information about the library, including opening hours – http://bibliotecas.csic.es/bibliotecas/EA.html
