Libraries

Oxford's library system can seem quite complicated, mainly due to its very decentralised nature. The University is currently planning to move many of its libraries to the Radcliffe Infirmary Site on Woodstock Road to try to create a more coherent library system, and so it is worth keeping an eye out for updates on this. Despite its complicated nature, Oxford's library resources are amongst the best in the world, with over 100 individual library facilities (many of which are stunningly beautiful) and literally millions of items.

The Bodleian

The main library in Oxford is the Bodleian. Over 400 years old, the Bod is a copyright library, which means that it is entitled to receive every book published in the UK. The Bod has millions of items, stored on open shelves, in underground stacks and in holding stores outside Oxford. The main central Bodleian site is at Divinity Schools, situated behind the Sheldonian Theatre on Broad Street. The buildings within this site include the Duke Humfrey's Library, the Old Schools Quadrangle, the Radcliffe Camera, and the Clarendon Building. The Bodleian also has nine other libraries throughout Oxford: the Bodleian Law Library, the Radcliffe Science Library, the Philosophy Library, the Bodleian Japanese Library, the Vere Harmsworth Library, the Bodleian Library of Commonwealth and African Studies at Rhodes House, the Hooke Library, the Indian Institute Library, and the Oriental Institute Library.

Using the Bod can be slightly intimidating at first, but you will quickly get very used to it. All the main information about the Bod can be found on their website and you will also receive a guide to using the Bod (an electronic copy is available on their website) which is worth looking through. To access any part of the Bod you will need your University card - this is commonly known as your Bod card and is the blue and white card which you will receive from your College and which will become your main student card during your time at Oxford. No one is allowed to borrow anything from the Bod, and you are not allowed to deface any item at the Bod. These rules are extremely strict and supported by students. All the libraries which are part of the Bod have welcome desks, where you will have to show your Bod card and show them your bag to ensure that you are not taking anything out - some parts of the Bod don't even let you take your bag in - you have to carry in your valuables and pencils/paper etc by hand or in a clear bag.

Departments, Faculties and Colleges

Many departments and faculties also have their own libraries. These vary in size, range of services and opening hours, and you should check the department website for information. Department libraries will usually require you to register with them the first time you go, normally with your Bod card. You will often be allowed to borrow from department libraries.

Colleges also have their own libraries. These vary even more in terms of size and quality. The main advantage of college libraries is that some of them are open 24 hours a day, so if you're a late night worker, you may find yourself in the college library in the early hours. The use of a college library is usually restricted to only members of that college.

Department and college libraries will sometimes end up duplicating the Bod's holdings, and this can be very helpful when lots of students are looking for the same book or article. However, they will also have many items not held by the Bod (anything not published in the UK for a start) and many of them hold specific collections.

Opening Hours

A point worth noting is that opening hours differ greatly between all the libraries. Furthermore, opening hours during term-time and during vacations differ. Graduate students and finalists in particular should check opening hours if they are working in Oxford out of term-time. You can check opening hours on the library websites or in their user guides.

Photocopying

Many libraries have photocopiers linked to a central University system.  This allows students to use the same charge card in many different University libraries.  These cards are typically available for £1 at the major library desks, and contain 50p of credit.  Photocopying is useful if you need to mark the text you are reading or if there are passages from a restricted book or journal that you wish to take away.  Copyright laws mean that you are not allowed to copy more than one chapter or 5% of a book, whichever is the greater, or more than one article from an issue of a journal.

Oxfordshire County Council Oxford Library

Finally, there exists the Oxford Central Library, ran by Oxfordshire County Council (nothing to do with the University). This is situated beside the Westgate Centre entrance, and you can join it if you have an Oxford address. Some students do use this library for fiction, and, in particular, for music manuscripts.