Introduction
As Trinity Term draws to a close we want to congratulate our readers on getting through another busy exam period and wish you all a restful summer break! We also want to share a few bits and pieces relevant to finalists, alongside upcoming changes that will affect the library service during the Long Vacation.
Finalists
Loans
We encourage those completing their courses this year to return items on loan before the end of term and prior to the expiration of their University card.
Print, Copy and Scan (PCAS)
A quick reminder to those leaving us this summer to use up any remaining PCAS balance as it cannot be refunded. On request, credit can be transferred to another PCAS account. Please email pcas@bodleian.ox.ac.uk for assistance.
Becoming an Alum?
As an Oxford alum you can take advantage of a number of benefits, including free access to the Bodleian Libraries and select eresources. Find out more at the link below.
Getting started: Alumni | Bodleian Libraries
Vacation Opening Hours
The library will move to vacation opening hours from 19th June, with a closed period of 20th August to 4th September inclusive. Opening hours during the vacation are:
Monday to Friday: 9:00-17:00
Vacation loans
Vacation loans for normal loans start on 13th June and 16th June for short loans.
Loans issued from these dates will be due back during the first week of Michaelmas Term, starting 9th October.
Change of Library Management System
During the summer, the Bodleian Libraries are moving to a new and improved library management system called ALMA, with a go-live date of 24th August. The project is a significant undertaking and there will be a transition period of a week, 16th August to 23rd August, where data is migrated between systems. A number of library services will be affected during this period as a result. Details are captured in the Message for our Readers notices displayed in the library’s reading rooms.
Lending Books
You will be able to borrow and return books. For one week, 16th-23rd August, online circulation will be replaced with offline circulation and the data transferred to the new system when live. The real time book availability displayed on SOLO will not be updated for these offline transactions but, on request, library staff can verify availability for readers travelling to the library for particular items. Self-issue machines will not operate between 16th-23rd August. Please note access to online resources, both on campus and remote access, will be unaffected.
Requesting books from closed stacks
Automated stack requesting from SOLO will not be available between 16th-23rd August and readers are advised to place stack requests for books and archives in advance by 15th August. Libraries will extend the due date so that nothing ordered in advance will be returned to the stacks during the cutover period. A limited staff-mediated option will be available to manage requests placed between 16th-23rd August, but readers are urged to place requests in advance where possible. If you require the use of the staff mediated stack requesting service, email book.fetch@bodleian.ox.ac.uk between 16th-23rd August.
Scan & Deliver, Print & Deliver and Inter-library Loans
These services will be unavailable from 16th-23rd August inclusive. Readers are advised to place requests by 15th August or wait until 24th August.
MySOLO
Saved searches and records in MySOLO will not migrate to the new system. Favourites can be exported until the 15th August. To export: log in to MySOLO, select ‘export’ and choose your mode of exporting (Excel, email, print, RefWorks, EndNote and Zotero). There is no way to export saved searches. Readers who use those will need to set them up again once the new system goes live – apologies for any inconvenience caused. For more information see our reference management guide.
Stay up to date with developments at the English Faculty Library by following us on Twitter. Updates affecting the Bodleian Libraries as a whole will be published on the Service updates webpage. Any questions about library services updates can be addressed to efl-enquiries@bodleian.ox.ac.uk.