Browse and Borrow is back!

As Trinity Term approaches, to improve access to History Faculty Library collections we have reintroduced our bookable 30-minute Browse & Borrow sessions! This service replaces Click & Collect for HFL items, in order to give more of our readers the opportunity to access our collections, borrow books and make use of other library facilities such as self-service photocopying/scanning. Offering Browse & Borrow in place of Click & Collect also means that we are able to increase our seating capacity in Lower Camera.

During a Browse and Borrow session, you can:

  • Browse lending or reference books in all reading rooms, including the Radcliffe Camera*, Gladstone Link and Old Bodleian
  • Borrow HFL books at the self issue machine or the staff desk in Lower Camera
  • Use a Quick Search PC to check SOLO
  • Photocopy or scan items using our PCAS machines

(*Please note that the Upper Camera is temporarily closed; we are working to make collections on this floor accessible again as soon as possible)

Unfortunately due to capacity restrictions for social distancing, we’re not able to offer seats or desk spaces for Browse & Borrow slots. You can arrive at the library at any point within your slot time, and your session will last 30 minutes.

Browse and Borrow slots are bookable on Spacefinder here (Single Sign On required): https://spacefinder.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/
Just select Radcliffe Camera in the dropdown menu to narrow down the options, and look out for ‘Radcliffe Camera – History Faculty Library Browse and Borrow [NO DESK]’.
New slots are released each day at 10am, 3 days in advance.

Although Click and Collect will no longer appear as an option on SOLO for HFL items, we are still able to offer the service by individual arrangement, for example if you’re self-isolating or shielding and would like someone to pick up books on your behalf. If we can help with this service, or if you have any other queries, please don’t hesitate to send us an email: library.history@bodleian.ox.ac.uk

 

 

Library Service Updates, 15th February

As of Monday 15th February, the Radcliffe Camera and Gladstone Link have reopened to readers with pre-booked study spaces. You can book a slot via the Bodleian Spacefinder tool, where you can also see available slots in other open libraries: https://spacefinder.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/ 

New bookings are released on the system three days in advance, each day at 10am, so if you don’t see a suitable desk please do check back on another day. Desk spaces are limited due to social distancing measures, so please only book if your visit is essential, and use alternative services if you can. Here are some of the other ways you can access library resources!

Click & Collect
Need to borrow HFL books? We’re currently not able to offer Browse & Borrow slots in the Rad Cam, but you can place advance requests for pickup using the Click & Collect service. Just look out for the green Request button which will appear next to eligible HFL items if you’re logged in to SOLO. Once you’ve placed your request, it will be picked and processed by library staff on the next working day, and you will then receive an email inviting you to book a collection slot to pick up your request. As the C&C process takes a few working days to complete, please do bear this in mind when requesting and order your books in good time. Unfortunately, staff will be unable to fetch additional items when you arrive at the library.

LibraryScan and OffsiteScan
Need to read a chapter or article from a printed book or journal? You can request a scan on SOLO using the Bodleian’s Scan & Deliver services, currently being offered free of charge.
If the item is held offsite in the Bodleian Closed Stacks, use the blue Offsite Scan button next to the individual closed stack item to place a request. Offsite Scan is available to all Bodleian card holders.
If the item is only held in a library reading room, use the red LibraryScan button. This service is available to University members.
The scanning team will aim to send the scan to your email within 5 working days. Due to copyright restrictions, the team can supply up to 5% of the page range of a book, or one full chapter, whichever is greater. You can find more details about this service here: https://www.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/using/scan-and-deliver

Remote access resources
Using the filter options on the left hand side of your SOLO search, you can select ‘Online Resources’ to show electronic resources accessible offsite. If an item has a green Online access icon, it can be accessed remotely if you’re an Oxford University member. If you’re a Bodleian Reader card holder, selecting ‘Open Access’ will show resources available to all regardless of university membership.
Check out this Libguide for some tips on how to find online resources for History, and the Bodleian’s page here for general guidance on ebooks, ejournals and databases.

There are also a number of digitised resources currently available as part of the HathiTrust Emergency Access Service. These books will have an orange HathiTrust button on their SOLO record. To access the full text, once you’ve clicked through to the HathiTrust page, click the Log In button on the top right hand corner, select University of Oxford institutional access, and log in with your Single Sign On. Next, click the ‘Temporary Access’ link on the book’s record. Finally, click the ‘Check Out’ button on the orange bar to loan the digital copy of the book.

If you’d like to recommend the purchase of an ebook or online resource which isn’t currently available, you can place a request via this form, and a subject librarian will look into its availability.

As always, if you’re having any trouble locating resources, or have any questions about library services, do get in touch by sending us an email: library.history@bodleian.ox.ac.uk.

 

 

Click and Collect at the HFL

In order to facilitate access to History Faculty Library loans during this period, we’d like to announce that eligible HFL items are now once again available to borrow through the Bodleian’s Click & Collect service. This will replace our Browse and Borrow service while the Radcliffe Camera is closed. For full details of the other libraries participating in this service, see: https://www.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/using/clickandcollect

If you didn’t get the chance to use this service over the summer, or would like a reminder of the procedure, here’s our step-by-step guide:

1. Request your book(s). Once logged into SOLO, look out for the green ‘Request’ button next to eligible HFL books. Your request will be sent to the library for staff to pick and process.

2. Once your book has been processed (usually the next working day after your request), you will receive an email inviting you to book a collection timeslot from the following working day onwards; slots will be between 11am-3pm Monday-Friday. You will only need to book a slot for one requested item, and other books you order will then also be available to collect in this timeslot. At this stage you can also add a named person to collect books on your behalf (please ask them to bring some photo ID!).
N.B. As mentioned above, it takes a few working days for the Click & Collect process to complete, so please order your books ahead of time. Please also note that only pre-booked items will be available and you won’t be able to request additional items at the desk when you arrive.

3. On arrival, hold your Reader Card to the pad to unlock the door. If you have any problems with your card, use the intercom to talk to a member of staff. If you notice that there is another reader already inside, please wait on the path at a distance of at least 2 metres from any other readers.

4. Show the member of staff at Reception your card. There is a protective screen at the desk, and a hand sanitiser dispenser available, for the safety of staff and readers. Please wear a face covering when visiting to pick up your books, unless you are exempt.

5. The staff member will fetch your pre-issued books and may ask you to stand back while they place them onto the shelf beside the desk. If you need to drop off HFL returns when you collect, there is a box next to the staff desk to put them in. Returns are quarantined overnight and will be removed from your account on the next working day.

6. Enjoy your books! If you have any questions about the Click & Collect process, please get in touch by email at library.history@bodleian.ox.ac.uk.

 

Library Service Updates, 8th January

Here is our latest update on library services:

  1. The Old Library, Sackler Library, VHL, and SSL will be closed on forthcoming weekends: 9/10 January and 16/17 January. All other sites are closed to readers already.
  2. Next week’s opening hours for sites open to readers (see above) will change to 10am to 4pm.
  3. The Radcliffe Camera and Gladstone Link will remain closed until further notice. We will offer a staff-mediated book fetching service from those collections to the Old Library where there are no alternative collections available. Contact book.fetch@bodleian.ox.ac.uk for further details. You will need to have a reading room seat booked in the Old Bodleian. LibraryScan for Radcliffe Camera and Gladstone Link collections is currently operational via SOLO.
  4. Space Finder for booking reading room slots is currently still frozen in order to insert SSO authentication. Colleagues are working on hard on this. We will inform you as soon as we hear bookings can resume. Thank you for your patience.
  5. From Monday, LibraryScan in the Old Library will resume. We also hope to relaunch closed stack deliveries then.
  6. Special Collections staff-mediated scanning continues to be available. See https://www.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/weston/using/ordering/photocopying/special-collections-mediated-copying for details.
  7. If tutors have any changes to reading lists or require scans for them, please contact hfl-readinglist@bodleian.ox.ac.uk.
  8. Reminder that you can access HathiTrust Emergency Temporary Access Service collections via SOLO once you have signed in with SSO. Look out for the orange HathiTrust button on SOLO records.
  9. For individual ebook recommendations, go to
    https://www.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/finding-resources/recommendations (requires SSO).

The situation remains fluid and all services are subject to staff availability. Please only come to the Library if it is really essential. Library staff on Live Chat, library.history@bodleian.ox.ac.uk and reader.services@bodleian.ox.ac.uk are always happy to help, so please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have any queries.

Welcome to the HFL!

Welcome, new History students! We’re here to help you get started with finding your way around our libraries and finding the books and online resources on your reading list.

Make a start with this online video introduction to the Bodleian Libraries, and visit our welcome page for new students.

Next, check out our handy online guide to the History Faculty Library, which is the main lending library for history collections in the Bodleian. We’re based in the Radcliffe Camera, so we’re easy to find! Although sadly we can’t show you around the library in person this year, on this induction LibGuide you can take a video tour of the HFL, filmed and guided by our friendly library staff. The guide also contains information on how to book a desk slot, borrowing books, and printing.

You can also find useful information and answers to frequently asked questions on the Library Assistant app for Oxford freshers.

With Covid-19, there are some changes to the libraries, services and resources for the upcoming term. You will still be able to access the material you need and you can also access a wide range of ebooks and electronic resources online from the comfort of your own room.

For the most up-to-date information, please check out the Bodleian’s website.

If you get need any help or have any questions then please get in touch with us via email: library.history@bodleian.ox.ac.uk

Returning to our Reading Rooms: A Guide

From Monday 17th August, the Rad Cam will open its gates to readers once again for pre-booked reading room slots! If you haven’t done so already, you can reserve a slot up to 2 weeks in advance on our booking page. As well as desks in Upper and Lower Camera, we have a height-adjustable desk and Reader PCs available to book.

As you might expect, we have some new procedures and adjustments to help
keep you safe in the library, so here’s a guide to what to expect on your visit:

1. Please remember to bring your seat booking confirmation email, and most importantly your University/Reader card with you. As the Admissions office is currently not issuing Day Passes, we won’t be able to let you in without your card.

2. You will be asked to wear a face covering in the library, including at your desk, and unless exempt (see below*) staff will ask you to come back with a face covering if you arrive without one. We are following University guidance that wearing a face covering can aid alongside hand hygiene and social distancing in helping to keep us all safe in university buildings.

*Some readers will be exempt from wearing a face covering under government regulations, and this need for exemption may not be obvious.
Please be mindful of this if you see someone without a face covering in the library.
If this exemption applies to you, we can provide a sign to show at your desk if you would like to indicate that you’re exempt in this way, although this is completely optional.

3. You may need to queue on the path outside when you arrive at the library. Keep a distance of 2 metres between you and other readers when queuing, and for the duration of your visit.

4. When you arrive, show your booking confirmation to the member of staff at Reception, and they will give you your assigned desk number and directions to your seat. To help with distancing, most seats will not be in use; these will be indicated by a sign with a red cross. Staff will also be wearing face coverings subject to the procedure above, and we have installed protective screens at staff desks.

5. As well as hand sanitiser at the library entrance, we also have convenient sanitiser stations throughout the library. Please make regular use of these during your visit!

6. Want to find some books? As some spaces in our building are quite snug, please be cautious and considerate of other readers when browsing the shelves, ensuring a 2 metre distance. In Lower and Upper Camera, enter each bay on the right-hand side to reach the shelves, as there will be no reader desks in use on this side.

7. Want to borrow a HFL book? Due to the Bodleian’s membership of the HathiTrust Emergency Temporary Access Service, which allows for access to selected ebooks during this period, we currently have license restrictions on the books we are allowed to loan. Please bring any books you wish to borrow to the issue desk, and staff will check whether they are loanable. Alternatively, you can use our Click & Collect service to order books from home; please note that this process can take 2-3 working days before books are ready for collection.

8. And finally, welcome back! If you have any questions in advance of your visit, you can email us at library.history@bodleian.ox.ac.uk, and if you’re unsure of anything in the library just ask a member of staff and we’ll be happy to help.

(Photos credit: George Kiddy & Gareth Evans)

 

 

New Postal Returns Service

If you’re not in Oxford and are unable to return your loans to our Returns hubs, you can now send your books back to us via the Bodleian’s new free Postal Returns service!

1. Click on this link for the Royal Mail’s Tracked Service.

2. Follow the instructions to either print off a package label at home, or to use a QR code, sent to you by email, to print the label at a Post Office.

3. Package the books following Royal Mail’s guidance as best you can. Take the package with label or QR code to your nearest Post Office. As this is a prepaid service, you won’t be asked to pay any postage on your parcel.

If you have books from multiple Bodleian Libraries, you can send them all back in the same package and once they reach Oxford they will be distributed to their owning libraries. Please don’t be concerned if you see that posted items remain on your SOLO account over the summer, as it will take staff some time to process them all. You will not be charged any fines while books are awaiting check-in; only fines accrued before the library’s closure in March will be payable.

If you are currently outside the UK, if you are unable to get to a Post Office to drop off your books, or if you have a large number of books on loan, you can get in touch with the Bodleian’s Returns team at borrow@bodleian.ox.ac.uk and they will find another option for you.

NB. Please note that the free postal service is for those readers who are unable to return books in person. If you are currently in Oxford, or planning to visit over the summer, and you are able to bring your books back in person, we would be grateful if you could do so via our Returns hubs (details here: https://www.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/using/loanreturns).

A Guide to Click and Collect at the HFL

You may have heard the news that we have started to welcome readers to our Click & Collect service at the HFL! Click & Collect is an emergency interim service at selected Bodleian Libraries (currently us, the Social Science Library and the Sackler Library), which allows university members to borrow books which would usually be loanable, via pre-booked collection slots.

Not sure what to expect when using the service? Here’s a step-by-step guide!

 

1. Request your book(s). Once logged into SOLO, look out for the green Click & Collect button next to eligible HFL books. Your request will then be sent to the library for staff to pick and process.

2. Once your book has been processed (usually the next working day after you request), you will receive an email inviting you to book a collection timeslot from the next working day onwards; our collection hours are 11am-3pm Monday-Friday. You will only need to book a slot for one requested item, and other books you order will then also be available to collect in this timeslot. At this stage you can also add a named person to collect books on your behalf (please ask them to bring some photo ID!).
N.B. As mentioned above, it takes a few working days for the Click & Collect process to complete, so please order your books ahead of time. Please also note that only pre-booked items will be available and you won’t be able to request additional items at the desk when you arrive.

3. On arrival, hold your Reader Card to the pad to unlock the door. If you have any problems with your card, use the intercom to talk to a member of staff. If you notice that there is another reader already inside, please wait on the path at a distance of at least 2 metres from any other readers.

4. Show the member of staff at Reception your card. There is a protective screen at the desk, and a hand sanitiser dispenser available, for the safety of staff and readers.

5. The staff member will fetch a bag containing your pre-issued books and may ask you to stand back while they place them onto the shelf beside the desk. Socially distanced handover pictured below! If you need to drop off HFL returns when you collect, there is a box next to the staff desk to put them in.

6. Enjoy your books! If you have any questions about the Click & Collect process, please get in touch by email at library.history@bodleian.ox.ac.uk.

 

 

Click and Collect at HFL

We’re very pleased to announce that your favourite History Faculty Library loan books are now available to borrow through the Bodleian’s Click & Collect Service!

Click & Collect is an emergency interim service designed to enable borrowing from selected Bodleian Libraries. The service will initially be offered by us, the Sackler Library, and the Social Science Library, and other libraries will introduce the service on a phased basis.

University members will be able to place requests on SOLO for items which would usually be available to borrow. Once logged in to SOLO, just look for the green button next to eligible books. Library staff will fetch the requests and once the items are ready for collection, borrowers will be emailed to invite them to select a date and time to collect the items. The safety of staff and readers is paramount in the design of the service; limitations will apply on which libraries are able to participate and when.

For full details see https://www.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/using/clickandcollect

If you have any problems when placing a request, or any queries about the collection process, please give us an email at library.history@bodleian.ox.ac.uk.

Returning your HFL loans

Although all Bodleian Libraries remain closed at present, you can now return your books on loan from any Bodleian Library, including the HFL, to one of the following returns hubs:

  • The Philosophy and Theology Faculty Library at the Radcliffe Humanities building – this is an external drop-box situated to the right of the main entrance. Books can be returned at any time.
  • The Sainsbury Library at the Saïd Business School – this is an external drop-box situated to the right side of the building on Rewley Road opposite the Fire Station. Books can be returned at any time.
  • The Social Science Library at the Manor Road building. This drop-box is located in the atrium and books can be returned on Tuesdays 12–2pm.
  • Old Road Research Campus Building. This drop-box is located at the main door. Books can be returned on Wednesdays 12-2pm.

The following location will be open for returns in the coming weeks:

For more information on these locations, view the returning of loans map.

The Bodleian Libraries and college libraries will be working closely together to ensure re-patriation of books to the owning library but please only return books from the Bodleian Libraries to the above locations. Items from college libraries should be returned directly to the college library.

For the latest updates on returns hubs, see the Bodleian webpage here.

Please note: all HFL loans have been extended until 12th October, so if you are returning to Oxford in Michaelmas you can keep your books until then.

If you are not returning to Oxford and cannot bring your books back, or if you have any other queries about your loans, we’re here to help. You can get in touch at library.history@bodleian.ox.ac.uk.