Using Libraries

The library system in Oxford is quite complicated, but there is a wealth of information and resources available to students, and it's really important to make the most of it all. The best advice is probably to get to know your subject librarians and to ask them if you ever need any help or guidance. You'll find that there is always a librarian who, if asked on a one-to-one basis, will be really delighted to help. They will often know their collections inside out, and can help you find resources, use more unusual resources you haven't come across before, photocopy work, tell you about items you never knew existed but which could help you with your research, and so on.

Accessing and choosing libraries

Accessing libraries is relatively straightforward. Your University Card (or Bod Card as it is often known) will get you into some of the University libraries automatically, and can be used to register you at other libraries (for example, a lot of the faculty/department libraries require registration the first time you go).

Sometimes you will be going to libraries to use them simply as a workplace. Given the huge number of different libraries across the city, students have the opportunity to work out exactly what they want from a particular library - somewhere quiet, somewhere more bustling, a common room available, near to town, near to college, good computer facilities, with friends/without friends and so forth. There is also of course the choice to pick a particular library to work in, or to decide to work in different libraries and have a frequent change of scene.

In terms of accessing particular resources, there will inevitably be times when you are required to go to a particular library to find a particular book. However, there is also the opportunity to stack request books from the Bodleian and to choose where you would like to read them.

Finding your books

Searching for books in any University Library is done through OLIS. You can choose whether to search OLIS via the web (probably slightly more straightforward) or via telnet. Enter OLIS and you can start searching for items - either by browsing or by searching with keywords.

Many of the items held will be at a specific library, and once you have found where the item is held and its shelf code, you can go and find it.

Others are held in the Bodleian stacks and not on open shelf. If an item is in the stacks, you can request it. When you request an item you use your University Card number (the seven-digit number above the barcode) and your password (usually automatically set as your date of birth, e.g. 01Jan1990 - this can be changed when you log in). You can then choose, from a range of libraries, where you would like the item(s) to be sent. Bear in mind that stack requested items cannot be taken away, so you will have to read them where you have chosen to send them. OLIS will tell you when the item(s) will be available for you to read.

Guides, Inductions and Training

Oxford University Library Services offer a range of training opportunities and information skills guidance - well worth looking at. They offer such services as undergraduate, postgraduate and visiting students inductions to libraries, and WISER workshops for current students and academics. The Bodleian has an 'ask a librarian' service, where students can seek advice on Bodleian matters. There is also a range of guides available for library users. Some of these can be picked up in print form in libraries, or will be delivered to new students to Colleges. OULS will also be at OUSU's Freshers Fair, so do go and ask them if you have any questions.