Overview
Oxford's collections in Italian literature and language (including linguistics), from the medieval period to the present day, are rich and diverse. Materials are collected across the University as broadly as possible, including in related subject areas (e.g., art, history, theology, etc.).
A list of most (but not all) recent (2000 - present) publications by current and former members of Oxford's Italian sub-faculty is available in this guide.
Major collecting areas for Italian literature & language
The Taylor Institution Library (located on St. Giles') is the principal repository for materials on Italian literature and language.
This building houses three collections: the Research Collection, the Teaching Collection and the Linguistics Colllection.
The Research Collection
Italian language and literature are well covered from the medieval period to the present day. Monographs and periodicals are collected. Most titles (in both collections) may be borrowed.
The Linguistics Collection is housed within the Research Collection (see guide to Linguistics).
The British Library's Italian collections cover all periods and a wide variety of subjects. They include material published in the Italian-speaking Swiss canton of Ticino and publications in Romansch.
SOLO
Oxford's union catalogue for the holdings of university, departmental and college libraries as well as e-resources available to Oxford researchers.
Using SOLO: a guide
JISC Library Hub Discover: the union catalogue of over 100 UK HE and other libraries.
Servizio Bibliothecario Nazionale (SBN): Union catalogue of Italian libraries.
WorldCat: a massive union catalogue of countless libraries worldwide but a US emphasis.
If a title is not available in SOLO you are welcome to Recommend a book. Alternatively, you can also consider an InterLibrary Loan.
The Teaching Collection (aka Modern Languages Faculty Library)
Provides materials in support of undergraduate and taught postgraduate courses in Italian language and literature from the medieval period to the present day. Items for acquisition are selected in line with reading lists, syllabi, and recommended authors, and in some cases multiple copies of key texts are made available. The Library subscribes to various Italian magazines and newspapers, and there is a growing collection of Italian film (see guide to Film Studies).
For a history of the Taylor Institution and its collections see J. Hughes, “History of the Library and its collections”, Handbuch der historischen Buchbestände in Deutschland, Österreich und Europa, ed. B. Fabian (Hildesheim: Olms, 2003).