Category Archives: Building works

Radcliffe Camera: temporary building access arrangements

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Pavement improvement works in Radcliffe Square are now reaching their final phase, which will necessitate a temporary closure of the South Gate. This will be cordoned off between Monday 20th August and Monday 3rd September, to allow for the completion of essential work. During this period, readers will need to use the North Gate in order to access the Camera grounds and entrance. Please note, this also means that there will be no direct level access route to the Camera for approximately two weeks. Readers requiring this will need to use the ramped access route to the Old Bodleian Library, continuing via the tunnel/Gladstone Link and platform lift.

We apologise for any inconvenience caused, but trust that the newly widened pavement will be more accessible as a result of these works..Please get in touch with any questions or feedback: library.history@bodleian.ox.ac.uk

Radcliffe Square – Pavement improvement works Long Vacation 2018

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From Monday 9th July to Friday 31st August 2018, the section of pavement in Catte Street on the south east corner of the Radcliffe Camera will be widened in order to improve the route to the building for readers who require level access.

Access to the Radcliffe Camera via the South Gate will be maintained during the majority of the project and alternative access arrangements will be advertised in advance if required.

Some disruption and noise will unfortunately be inevitable and the work has therefore been scheduled during the Long Vacation. The work will take place between 07:30-16:30hrs and where possible, exceptionally noisy work will be undertaken before library opening hours. Alternative seating is available in the Gladstone Link or the Old Library and we apologise for any inconvenience caused by these essential improvement works.

Please contact us with any questions or feedback at library.history@bodleian.ox.ac.uk

How the new improved pavement should look once the project is complete – bicycles will of course still be welcome but please be considerate not to block the pavement!

Duke Humfrey’s Library: Lighting Project 21 August until end of September

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Work to replace and upgrade the lighting in Duke Humfrey’s Library will begin on Monday 21 August and continue until the end of September.

During this period sections of the reading room will be closed off in turn to allow this work to be completed.

Access to Duke Humfrey’s Library may also be restricted to one staircase only at times. It may prove necessary to close the reading room for book moves at particular points in the project and notice will be given if this is the case with a fetching service provided.

There will be some noise associated with this project and readers may therefore prefer to work in other reading rooms.

For any queries about access to material please consult staff at the Main Enquiry Desk in the Lower Reading Room.

The good news is that, once completed, it should be easier to read the spine titles of local history society publications in the galleries.

Camera & GLadstone Link returned to normal opening – open until 7pm

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The installation of new contactless card readers at the entrance/exit gates of the Radcliffe Camera has been completed ahead of schedule and we have now resumed normal opening. The Camera front door is in operation again and we will not be closing at 5pm as previously advertised but will remain open until 7pm.

*The Camera and the Gladstone Link will be open until 7pm today.*

The card readers are the same style as those in the Weston Library and we hope they are easier to use than the former swipe card readers. Thank you for your patience and apologies for the inconvenience caused by the work.

 

HFL open 9-5pm on Tues 18 to Thurs 20 July 2017

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The Radcliffe Camera and Gladstone Link will be open from 9am-5pm only on Tuesday 18th to Thursday 20th July inclusive. This is a change to our advertised opening hours – the Old Bodleian Library is open until 7pm as normal.

This is to facilitate the installation of new contactless card readers at the entrance/exit gates in the Bodleian Library as part of essential maintenance works. If work finishes ahead of schedule we will resume normal access arrangments/opening hours.

Access to the Camera and Gladstone Link will be via the main entrance to the Old Bodleian Library and the tunnel. From 9am to 4:45pm we aim to offer a normal service but there will be no access to collections after 5pm. Readers can take books and continue to work in the Old Bodleian Library until 7pm.

The card readers are the same style as the ones in the Weston Library (see image above) and we hope that they will be easier to use than the current swipe card readers. Thank you for your patience and apologies for any inconvenience the work may cause.

RadCam Lighting Fault UPDATE

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We have been informed of a fault relating to emergency lighting in the Radcliffe Camera and Gladstone Link and have had to adjust access to reading rooms and facilities as follows.

  • The Old Bodleian is open as normal.
  • The Radcliffe Camera is open as normal but the toilets are closed (the nearest alternative facilities are in the Upper Gladstone Link and Old Bodleian Library)
  • The Upper Gladstone Link is open.
  • The Lower Gladstone Link is closed to readers but staff will provide a fetching service – please ask at the Main Enquiry Desk in the Old Bodleian and the Enquiry Desk in the Radcliffe Camera if you require any material.

The Gladstone Link will close at 5pm.

We apologise for the temporary inconvenience and are working hard to restore full access as soon as possible.

Lighting to be upgraded in Lower Camera 3 Aug to 21 Sept – expect some disruption

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In the course of August and September, the lighting in the Lower Camera will be upgraded in all of the bays.

These improvements will ultimately benefit all those studying and working in the Lower Camera. That’s the good news.

roadsignHowever, some disruption and noise will unfortunately be inevitable. Each week one bay will be closed off to readers though staff will be able to fetch books upon request. Access to/ from the Gladstone Link will be maintained at all times.

In preparation of the project, sample lighting will be tested in Bay 7 of the Lower Camera on Wed 29 July 9am-c 12pm.

Additional seating is available in the Upper Camera, the Gladstone Link or the Old Library.

We apologise for any inconvenience caused.

Temporary closure of Duke Humfrey’s Library 15th-23rd December

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Temporary closure of Duke Humfrey’s Library

Please be advised that Duke Humfrey’s Library will be closed to readers Monday 15Duke_humfreys December –Tuesday 23 December inclusive to facilitate book moves.

If you need to see an item kept in Selden End of Duke Humfrey, please speak to staff at the Upper Reserve who will arrange for material to be fetched.

We apologise for any inconvenience caused by these book moves.

Reading rooms in Weston Library open 29 Sept

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Today (29 Sept 2014) is an important milestone in the history of the Bodleian Library: The Weston Library (formerly New Bodleian Library) opened its three reading rooms to readers. The temporary Special Collections Reading Room in the RSL and Rhodes House Library have now transferred to the Weston Library.

At the moment the building is initially opening exclusively to readers. Some disruption, due to continuing collection moves and fitting-out of public areas, including exhibition galleries and tearoom, will continue until the official opening in March 2015.

Where is the Weston Library?

The Weston Library is on the site of the former New Bodleian Library, ie the corner of Broad Street and Park Road. The reader entrance is on Park Road.

Weston on map

What are the opening hours?
Mon-Fri 9am – 7pm; Sat 10am – 4pm; Sun closed

Which reading room should I use?

  • RARE BOOKS, ARCHIVES AND WESTERN MANUSCRIPTS is in the Rare Books and Manuscripts Reading Room (Level 1)
  • MAPS are in the Rare Books and Manuscripts Reading Room (Level 1)
  • MUSIC is in the Mackerras Reading Room (Level 1)
  • ORIENTAL MANUSCRIPTS AND RARE BOOKS are in the David Reading Room (Level 5)
  • COMMONWEALTH AND AFRICAN STUDIES COLLECTIONS are in the David Reading Room (Level 5)

You can order normal stack request items to any of the reading rooms.

Moves of collections into the Weston Library will take place until Summer 2016 as material currently kept at other locations is transferred. During this period items may still be ordered as normal, but will be subject to a 24 hour delivery time. Updates of collection moves.

Duke Humfrey’s Library is now closed until Monday 13 October 2014 when it will re-open as an invigilated reading room supporting higher-level studies in the Humanities. Open-shelf material, esp local history in R.Top and R1-R3, etc. will remain in Duke Humfrey’s. During the closure period, contact library staff if you need any material in R.Top or R1-3.

Related links:

Special Collections Contact details

Coming soon! Additional shelving in Upper Gladstone Link

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Additional book cases will be installed in the Upper Gladstone Link on Tuesday 8 July followed by a book move from Wednesday 9 to Tuesday 15 July.

There will be restricted access to the Gladstone Link via the Radcliffe Camera between 9am and 12noon on Tuesday 8 July. Access via the Old Library will be unaffected.

The new shelving units will increase capacity by approximately 65 meters, which will enable us to relieve shelving on the mobile Gladstone units and ease pressure on space in other areas of the collection. We are also able to increase the current space allocated to oversize items.

Please accept our apologies for any inconvenience caused by any disruption and noise while this project is taking place.

Gladstone shelving

Gladstone shelving

New Bruynzeel shelving

New Bruynzeel shelving