Opening Up Research

Publishing your research open access means making it free for anybody, anywhere in the world to access and read. It often also means giving others the freedom to reuse or adapt research while still ensuring that you are credited as the original author. That could, for example, allow somebody to create a translation of research into a different language so that it can be read by a wider audience. Open access can have advantages for both authors and readers. Authors can benefit from increased dissemination and citations of their work. Readers get free, equitable access to high-quality research (for more background on open access see https://openaccess.ox.ac.uk/start-here).

The reasons for choosing open access publication can vary. You might be committed to open science and sharing your research. Perhaps your funder requires you to publish research open access. Maybe you work with other scientists whose institution’s policy mandates open access publishing. Once you decide to publish open access, the path to actually doing so can be rocky!

Some journals will charge a publication fee called an Article Processing Charge. Depending on your funding status you may be able to claim this money from your funder. Alternatively, you could choose to deposit a version of your article with no charge into an institutional repository like the Oxford University Research Archive. The University of Oxford currently has a range of publisher deals which allow even unfunded researchers to publish open access papers in certain scientific journals with no charge. Deciding between all these different options can be confusing. To help researchers, we have the Open Access Oxford (OAO) website.

The OAO website has all the information you need, from the background to open access publishing and methods to deposit your research through to advice on how to pay open access costs. If your question isn’t covered on the site, you’ll find details for contacting the open access team for further help.

You can use the OAO site to keep up to date with new developments in open access such as changes in open access polices and the University’s approach to open access.

Finally, if you want to get a sound grasp on open access, it’s a great idea to attend one of our regular free training sessions. For beginners we would highly recommend our Fundamentals of Open Access session.

A row of open doors in different primary and secondary colours, each containing a narrow vertical glass panel.

Oxford Reading Lists Online (ORLO)

ORLO (Oxford Reading Lists Online) logo

  1. Reading Lists:

    Reading lists are collections of materials such as books, chapters, journal articles, and more, recommended by your tutor for your studies. These lists can be distributed in print or electronically through platforms like email, Canvas, or ORLO.

  2. Oxford Reading Lists Online (ORLO):

    ORLO is an online system for accessing reading lists at the University of Oxford. It offers features such as checking the availability of print items in the library, accessing full-text electronic resources using ‘View Online’ buttons, and aiding time efficiency in your studies.

  3. Accessing ORLO:

    You can find your course’s reading list through the ORLO homepage or your course’s Canvas site. If your course isn’t on ORLO, you can contact your Subject Librarian or email orlo@bodleian.ox.ac.uk for assistance. Note that most ORLO lists are private and require an Oxford Single Sign On (SSO) for access.

    Two students are sitting at a desk reading text books

    photo (c) John Cairns

  4. Tips for Using ORLO:

    • Download and Export: You can download an ORLO list in PDF format with retained links or as a RIS file for citation management.
    • Reading Intentions and Notes: Set private reading intentions to plan your studies and add personal notes to items.
    • Filter and Search: Use filters and the search bar to quickly find specific readings or types of resources.
    • Save Lists: Save lists to your profile for future reference, even after the academic year ends.
    • Report Broken Links: If ‘View Online’ links are broken, you can report them and get notified when they’re fixed (click the three dots on the far right of the reading list item and select ‘Report broken link’).
    • View Other Formats: Check book details and explore alternative editions through SOLO.
    • Access Digitised Content: Some lists include digitized chapters or articles from Bodleian Libraries, accessible through ‘View Online’ buttons.

For more information see the Bodleian Libraries page on Reading Lists.

Check out our Resource of the Month – IEEE Xplore

The RSL has a huge collection of physical and electronic materials. We have so much that we wanted to shine a spotlight on some of our items whether recently added or an existing collection item. The resources are recommended by our knowledgeable subject librarians who are excited to show off parts of the collection for their subject.

Text that says resource of the month over small images of books, computer equipment and scientific equipment

This month’s selector is:

Alessandra Vetrugno

Photograph of Alessandra Vetrugno holding a laptop

Alessandra Vetrugno

Ale has selected IEEE Xplore

Brief Description

IEEE Xplore is a digital library and online platform provided by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). It provides access to more than 5 million documents including journals articles, conference publications, standards, and other resources in the fields of electrical engineering, electronics, computer science, and related disciplines. The platform offers powerful search and discovery tools to find and access its content efficiently.

Circuit board interface

Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay

Who is this useful for?

The platform is primarily useful for students, researchers, and academics the fields of electrical engineering, electronics, computer science, biotechnology, power and energy, and other technologies. It is also relevant for researchers in other areas with an interest for technology-related research and education.

How can I access it?

The IEEE Xplore platform is available through the Oxford Libraries catalogue SOLO. To access it off campus use the University VPN or sign into the platform via SOLO with your Single Sign On (SSO).

Welcome to all new and returning students in Michaelmas 2023

A warm welcome from the Radcliffe Science Library to all new and returning students! We look forward to seeing you soon.

The RSL is one of the Bodleian Libraries and is Oxford’s main library for science subjects and pre-clinical medicine.

We’ll be opening our doors in Michaelmas Term but our staff are available to answer your questions.

Map showing the Radcliffe Science Library located on the corner of Parks Road and South Parks RoadPlease don’t hesitate to ask library staff for help. You can contact the rsl team at enquiries.rsl@bodleian.ox.ac.uk. Here are a few pointers to get you started:

  • e-Reference services:  Our Live Chat service is available via the SOLO home page and the Bodleian Libraries website seven days a week, (9am–7pm on weekdays and 10am–4pm on weekends) and our central email enquiry service is reader.services@bodleian.ox.ac.uk.

Check out our resource of the month

The RSL has a huge collection of physical and electronic materials. We have so much that we wanted to shine a spotlight on some of our items whether recently added or an existing collection item. The resources are recommended by our knowledgeable subject librarians who are excited to show off parts of the collection for their subject.

Text that says resource of the month over small images of books, computer equipment and scientific equipment

This month’s selector is:

Rachel Scanlon

Photograph of Rachel Scanlon

Rachel has selected the Lyell Collection.

Brief Description

The Lyell Collection, created to mark the Geological Society of London’s 200th anniversary in 2007 and named after Charles Lyell, the eminent nineteenth-century geologist, represents one of the largest integrated collections of online Earth science literature available. It comprises the Society’s journal titles, Special Publications and key book series and allows cutting edge science to sit alongside important historical material with full-text archives back to 1811.

Natural Bridges at Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor, Oregon USA

View through Mesa Arch, Canyonlands National Park, Utah USA to arid/desert valley beyond

Who is this useful for?

This is an essential resource for researchers and students in the field of Geosciences including geochemistry, geology and petroleum geoscience.

How can I access it?

This collection is available through SOLO. To access it off campus use the VPN or sign in to the journal platform with your Single Sign On (SSO).

Check out our resource of the month

The RSL has a huge collection of physical and electronic materials. We have so much that we wanted to shine a spotlight on some of our items whether recently added or an existing collection item. The resources are recommended by our knowledgeable subject librarians who are excited to show off parts of the collection for their subject.

Text that says resource of the month over small images of books, computer equipment and scientific equipment

This month’s selector is:

Alessandra Vetrugno

Photograph of Alessandra Vetrugno holding a laptop

Alessandra Vetrugno

Ale has selected the Institute of Physics evidence-based acquisitions (EBA) ebook collection

Brief Description

The institute of Physics (IOP) is the leading scientific society for Physics in the UK and Ireland. It supports the promotion and advancement of Physics around the world. The IOP EBA ebook collection provides DRM-free access to around 800 ebooks published by the Institute of Physics including high-quality monographs on key areas in physics and shorter texts that cover rapidly advancing topics.

We have access to this collection under an EBA model. This means that we are able to access all titles in the collection for one year and at the end of our subscription we’ll retain the titles that have been used the most.

Abstract illustration of waves and particles

This photo by Gerd Altmann is licensed under CC0 Public Domain

Who is this useful for?

This resource is essential for Physics students and researchers, from undergraduate level up to academics. It is also relevant for researchers in other areas with an interest for Physics-related research and education.

How can I access it?

The IOP EBA collection is accessible from the Oxford Libraries catalogue SOLO. Individual titles can also be also accessed from SOLO. To access it off-campus use the VPN or sign into SOLO with your Single Sign On (SSO).

Our access to the IOP EBA ebook collection is valid until the 10th May 2024.

If you want to know more about searching titles included in the IOP EBA, you can talk to one of our friendly Subject Librarians! 😊

While you’re away from Oxford – summer vacation 2023

Radcliffe Science Library staff would like to wish you a great summer vacation, and look forward to welcoming you back to the newly refurbished RSL in Michaelmas term.

While you’re away from Oxford, we have a wealth of online resources to enable you to continue your studies remotely.

SOLO

You can access the full text of many resources via SOLO when logged in with your Single Sign-On (SSO) ID – look for the green Online access icon to find these.

SOLO logo

E-books

The Bodleian Libraries have a large number of e-books which can be accessed via SOLO as detailed above.

If a book you need is not available as an e-book, then we may be able to purchase one – complete the book recommendation form to put in your request.

Oxford Reading Lists Online (ORLO)

ORLO provides 24/7 access to reading lists from a range of devices via your Oxford Single Sign-On ID.

ORLO logo

E-journals

All e-journals can be found on SOLO.
BrowZine provides access to journals licensed by the Bodleian Libraries from compatible publishers from 2005 onwards.

Browzine logo

Databases

All of Oxford’s databases are accessible via SOLO (filter by Databases under Resource Type) and also via Databases A-Z.

LibGuides

LibGuides list key subject-specific resources, including e-books, e-journals, databases and other resources available online.

Key LibGuides for science and medicine:

Reminders for graduating students

If you’re graduating this summer, here are a few library-related things to take care of before you leave Oxford. Many thanks for your attention to these.

  • Return all your library books to the library from which you originally borrowed them.
  • Pay any outstanding charges, such as payment for lost items
  • Use up and remaining PCAS credit

You can continue to use the Bodleian Libraries as a graduate of the University.

Oxford University alumni logo

Finally, RSL staff wish you every success in the future!

Group study rooms in the VHL

There are two small group study rooms on the first floor (maximum 4 people each), and one on the ground floor next to the library desk (maximum 5-6 people).

They can be booked by any University of Oxford card holder.

To request a booking email vhl@bodleian.ox.ac.uk, phone +44 1865 272800, or speak to staff at the library desk.

Readers registered with the Bodleian Disability Services have priority for using the study rooms, so already confirmed bookings may need to be amended at short notice.

Exterior of Group Study Room 1

Group Study Room 1 – first floor

Group Study Room interior

First floor Group Study Room – inside