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.

 

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.

 

 

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.