F.A.Q.
Who is eligible to apply for a place on “Oscar Wilde and His Circle”?
—See the page on Eligibility and How to Apply. N.E.H. makes the following statement about eligibility: “An applicant need not have an advanced degree in order to qualify. Adjunct and part-time lecturers are eligible to apply. Individuals may not apply to study with a director of an N.E.H. Summer Seminar or Institute who is a current colleague or a family member. Individuals must not apply to seminars directed by scholars with whom they have studied. Institute selection committees are advised that only under the most compelling and exceptional circumstances may an individual participate in an institute with a director or a lead faculty member who has guided that individual’s research or in whose previous institute or seminar he or she has participated.” N.E.H. also observes the following: “These projects are designed primarily for teachers of American undergraduate students. Qualified independent scholars and those employed by museums, libraries, historical societies, and other organizations may be eligible to compete provided they can effectively advance the teaching and research goals of the seminar or institute. Applicants must be United States citizens, residents of U.S. jurisdictions, or foreign nationals who have been residing in the United States or its territories for at least the three years immediately preceding the application deadline. Foreign nationals teaching abroad at non-U.S. chartered institutions are not eligible to apply.”
What are the Clark Library’s opening hours?
—The Clark Library is open Monday to Friday from 9.00am to 4.45pm. The library is not open on weekends and on public holidays.
Can users borrow books from the Clark Library?
—Since the Clark is a rare book library, borrowing is not possible.
Does the Clark have wi-fi?
—Yes. The Clark wi-fi provides all users with access to databases to which U.C.L.A. subscribes.
Are printers available to N.E.H. Summer Scholars?
—Yes.
How much parking is available at the Clark Library?
—There is a large parking lot at the Clark Library. Parking is free.
Are there catering facilities on the Clark Library’s campus?
—Yes and no. The library does not have an onsite café or restaurant. There is a fully equipped kitchen with an oven, microwave, refrigerator, freezer, kettle, coffee-grinder, and supply of paper plates and cups. The Project Director will make sure the kitchen is stocked with refreshments and snacks. There are not many eateries close to the library, though there are branches of Subway and Ralphs nearby.
Does the Clark Library provide onsite childcare?
—No. The Project Director can put N.E.H. Summer Scholars in need of childcare in contact with past and present colleagues who have used such facilities close to the library.
Can school-age children study in the library reading room while the seminar is meeting?
—No. The Clark Library is a rare book library aimed at highly specialized readers who need access to the collections.
Can anyone visit the Clark Library?
—Yes. Children need to be accompanied. The Clark offers tours of its historic rooms. Tours need to be booked in advance; contact Scott Jacobs (
sjacobs@humnet.ucla.edu). Leashed dogs are also allowed onto the library’s campus, though not inside the building.
Will N.E.H .Summer Scholars be able to use the facilities on the main UCLA campus at Westwood?
—Yes. U.C.L.A. will issue a “BruinCard” to every participant. This card provides N.E.H. Summer Scholars with “Visiting Scholar” status. As visiting scholars, N.E.H. Summer Scholars enjoy access to all of U.C.L.A.’s facilities. The “BruinCard” also enables N.E.H. Summer Scholars to borrow books from U.C.L.A.’s extensive library system.
Can friends, colleagues or students audit the seminar?
—No. NEH stipulates that its summer seminars are exclusively for the Summer Scholars to whom it has made an award.
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