Author Archives: lhoward

Find out more about our 3D printing services

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Whether you’re experienced in 3D model making or just want to try out 3D printing for the first time, why not try out the RSL3D printing service? This service is only available to members of Oxford University.

Gif of an object wrapped in gold foil in a clear plastic bag floating in the air. A hand reaches out and touches it and starts it spinning.

What is 3D printing?

3D printing enables a three-dimensional (3D) object to be created from a model, via computer control, most commonly by creating an object layer by layer and then fusing the layers together.

3D printing allows you to “print” a 3D object out of a variety of materials, such as plastic, metal, and organic materials. In the RSL, we offer 3D printing in PLA plastic in a variety of colours or PET-G plastic in black or white. Using a process called Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM), a 3D printer deposits hot plastic on to a build plate in layers that set instantly to build up a 3D object.

What have we been 3D printing?

The technology of 3D printing offers a wide range of uses and endless possibilities. We have used 3D printing for objects from a Peruvian flute to items created for a space experiment carried out on the International Space Station (ISS).

This ISS project featured a truss assembly and outer cover for an experiment investigating ferrofluids in microgravity, incorporating a series of electromagnets. This project, created by the ISSET-Oxford payload development team and developed from high school student-proposed research projects for the ISS, ran a successful experiment on the ISS in 2022.

How do I create my own 3D object?

Do you have a project of your own that you’d like to create in 3D form? To submit a 3D printing job, send us a 3D file of your model, and we’ll print it out for you. Find out more about how to submit your 3D printing project here.

3D printed models

What is the cost?

Depending on the size and scale of the model, the costs vary. Once your model has been approved for printing, we will get back to you with an estimated print time and cost. We charge £2 for the first hour, and £1 for every hour after that. A typical job takes about 5 hours and so would cost £6.

We aim to print models within 10 working days, although this may vary depending on demand and the size of the print job.

Find out more about our 3D printing services, including tips, resources, FAQs and more, here.

Check out our Resource of the Month – SPIE Digital Library

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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.

This month’s selector is:

Alessandra Vetrugno

Lead Librarian – Physical and Applied Sciences
Subject Librarian for Chemistry, Computer Science, Earth Sciences, Engineering, Materials Science, Mathematics, Physics and Statistics.

Photograph of Subject Librarian Alessandra VetrugnoAlessandra has selected SPIE Digital Library, available on SOLO.

Brief description 

SPIE is the international society for optics and photonics, supporting the advancement of light-based research and technologies. The SPIE Digital Library provides access to the extensive collection of SPIE technical publications. It includes:

  • SPIE journals
  • SPIE conference proceedings and presentations recordings, covering photonics-driven advancements in a broad range of areas from biomedicine to defence and security
  • ebooks from SPIE Press from 1962 to the present

New content is regularly added, with more than 18,000 new technical papers and 25 ebooks added annually.

SPIE logo

Who is this useful for? 

This resource is particularly useful for students and researchers in Physics, Engineering Science, Computer Science, and Materials Science, and for those with an interest in the latest developments and technologies in optics and photonics.

How can I access it? 

SPIE Digital Library 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).

Make an appointment with your subject/outreach librarian

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Do you have any questions about your studies? Are you keen to make the most of your research? Do you want to know more about referencing? Are you not sure where to find key information for your essays or research? Perhaps you need help with a specific database?

If you have any questions, you can book an appointment with your specialist subject or outreach librarian. They can talk with you in person, over Teams, over the phone or by email – whichever method you prefer and are most comfortable with.

Students in the Radcliffe Science Library, University of Oxford

Photo (c) John Cairns

As well as helping with your literature search and constructing search queries, subject and outreach librarians can…

  • Provide group or one-to-one information skills training
  • Discuss Open Access issues with you and help you find the relevant information for you
  • Show you how to access and manage research data
  • Source and purchase book and resource recommendations – we are particularly interested in purchasing Equality, Diversity and Inclusion titles to improve our collections
  • Advise and train you on reference management software and how to use different styles
  • Show you how to navigate subject-specific databases
  • And so much more…

Meet the Subject Librarians at the RSL 

Photograph of Subject Librarian Karine BarkerKarine Barker
01865 272802
karine.barker@bodleian.ox.ac.uk

Lead Librarian – Non-Clinical Medicine and Life Sciences, supporting:

  • Non-Clinical Medicine
  • Biochemistry
  • Biology
  • Pathology
  • Pharmacology
  • Physiology
  • Anatomy and Genetics
  • Psychology
  • Zoology

Photograph of Subject Librarian Oliver Bridle
Ollie Bridle
01865 272856
oliver.bridle@bodleian.ox.ac.uk

Subject Librarian – Life Sciences and Non-clinical Medicine, supporting:

  • Biochemistry
  • Biology
  • Forestry
  • Pharmacology
  • Plant Sciences
  • Zoology

Photograph of Subject Librarian Rachel Scanlon
Rachel Scanlon
01865 272824
rachel.scanlon@bodleian.ox.ac.uk

Subject Librarian – Physical and Applied Sciences, supporting:

  • Computer Science
  • Earth Science
  • Materials Science
  • Statistics

Photograph of Subject Librarian Thomas Corrick
Thomas Corrick
01865 272824
thomas.corrick@bodleian.ox.ac.uk

Part -Time Subject Librarian – Physical and Applied Sciences, supporting:

  • Computer Science
  • Earth Science
  • Materials Science
  • Statistics

Photograph of Subject Librarian Alessandra Vetrugno
Alessandra Vetrugno
01865 272817

alessandra.vetrugno
@bodleian.ox.ac.uk

Lead Librarian – Physical and Applied Sciences, supporting:

  • Chemistry
  • Computer Sciences
  • Earth Sciences
  • Engineering
  • Materials Science
  • Mathematics
  • Physics
  • Statistics

Meet the Bodleian Health Care Libraries Librarians

Karine Barker
01865 272802
karine.barker@bodleian.ox.ac.uk

Supporting:

  • Department of Biochemistry
  • Sir William Dunn School of Pathology
  • Department of Pharmacology
  • Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics
  • Department of Experimental Psychology

Suzannah Bridge
01865 289383
suzannah.bridge@bodleian.ox.ac.uk

Supporting:

  • NHS staff based at the Churchill (e.g. OCDEM, Renal/Urology, Dermatology, Palliative Medicine including Sobell House)
  • NHS staff in Cancer Services

Eli Harriss
01865 221950
eli.harriss@bodleian.ox.ac.uk

Supporting:

  • Nuffield Department of Medicine units
  • Department of Psychiatry

Matthew Henry
01865 740471
matthew.henry@bodleian.ox.ac.uk

Supporting:

  • MSD and NHS staff and students in Acute General Medicine
  • Allied Health Therapies
  • Paediatrics (including the Oxford Vaccine Group)
  • Pharmacy
  • Gastroenterology
  • BRC

Dr Hannah McGivern
01865 740470
hannah.mcgivern@bodleian.ox.ac.uk

Supporting:

  • MSD and NHS staff and students in Anaesthetics and Theatres
  • Cardiac Services
  • Critical Care
  • Intensive Care
  • Surgery
  • Trauma.

Nia Roberts
01865 289409
nia.roberts@bodleian.ox.ac.uk

Supporting:

  • Primary Care
  • Public Health
  • Department of Oncology

Carolyn Smith
01295 229316
carolyn.smith@bodleian.ox.ac.uk

Supporting:

  • MSD and NHS staff and students based at the Horton Hospital
  • Women’s Services
  • Emergency Department
  • Infection Control
  • Radiology
  • Health Management
  • Laboratory Medicine
  • Clinical Sciences

Kat Steiner
01865 738145
kat.steiner@bodleian.ox.ac.uk

Supporting:

  • MSD and NHS staff and students in NDORMS
  • Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre

Neal Thurley
01865 222920
neal.thurley@bodleian.ox.ac.uk

Supporting:

  • MSD and NHS staff and students in Anaesthetics
  • ENT
  • Neurosciences
  • Ophthalmology
  • Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery
  • Plastics

If you are not sure who to contact, or have more general questions about Health Care, you can always contact hcl-enquiries@bodleian.ox.ac.uk.

NB
Churchill Allied Health Professionals – please contact Matthew Henry
Cancer Hospital staff -:please contact Suzannah Bridge.

If your subject/outreach librarian isn’t listed here, check the list of subject/outreach librarians on the Bodleian Libraries website.

Check out our Resource of the Month – Zoological Record

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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:

Ollie Bridle 

Subject Librarian – Life Sciences and Non-clinical Medicine
Subject Librarian for Biochemistry, Biology, Forestry, Pharmacology, Plant Sciences and Zoology

Photograph of Subject Librarian Oliver Bridle

Ollie has selected Zoological Record by Web of Science and Ovid, available on SOLO

This resource is available on two providers, Web of Science and Ovid: 

Brief Description 

First begun as a publication by the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) and the British Museum in the 19th century, the Zoological Record is the oldest database of animal biology, with records dating back to 1864. The database has extensive coverage of the zoological literature published in journals, books, reports, meetings, etc. The Zoological Record has become the ‘unofficial’ register of taxonomic names for animals, and records in the database are enhanced by added taxonomic and systematics information.

A black and white drawing illustrating the bones in a giraffe skeleton

Credit: Gordon Johnson, Pixabay

Who is this useful for? 

This database is useful for students or researchers looking for literature in zoology and animal biology and palaeontology. It is also useful for researchers investigating the taxonomy and naming of particular animal species. It is a particularly valuable resource for uncovering older literature in these areas which is often not included in other databases and is missing from web-based literature searching tools like Google Scholar.

How can I access it? 

This database 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).

Note that the database is divided between two providers – Web of Science and Ovid. To find older material use Ovid. To ensure a comprehensive search of the database you will need to search both providers to cover the whole contents.

Welcome back to the RSL!

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We hope you enjoyed your break! Welcome back to the RSL and to the start of the Trinity Term.

Radcliffe Science Library, students in library

Photo (c) John Cairns

A reminder of our opening hours for the Trinity Term:
From Monday 22 April to Friday 14 June 2024, the library will be open:

Monday to Friday from 9am to 10pm
Saturday from 10am to 4pm
Sunday from 11am to 5pm

You can find out more about our opening hours on our website.

Also a reminder that you can book rooms in the library for academic purposes. So if you have a group study session, a shared project or a tutorial, remember to book early to avoid disappointment.

New vending area

Vending machine

For the new term we have a new vending area in the library, as requested by you. Here you can conveniently purchase a range of snacks and hot and cold drinks to keep you going while you study.

It is open to all users of the Radcliffe Science Library – just pop into the vending area near the entrance. Both card and phone payments are accepted.

Food is allowed in most areas of the library, including the ground floor, the lower ground floor and all rooms except the Informal Reading Room and the Quiet Reading Room. Covered hot drinks are allowed everywhere in the library (please remember though to put a lid on your drink – these are available in the vending area). We also have food waste bins and recycling bins in the vending area and around the library for you to use.

Vending machines

Keep up to date

Remember to check our twitter/X and blog to keep up to date on what’s happening in the RSL.

Have a great term!

Join us for our weekly Lego Lunches!

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Every Wednesday lunchtime, we hold Lego Lunches in the Wellbeing Room at the RSL.

Student holding a Lego dinosaur

Our Lego Lunches offer the perfect opportunity to unwind in the middle of your busy week, unleash your creativity and have some fun while you have your lunch. You bring the lunch, we bring the Lego!

Just drop in – no booking needed.

Lego creations

Every Wednesday, 1pm – 2pm, in the RSL Wellbeing Room, during term and vacation. See you there!

Student building with Lego

The Wellbeing Room can also be used throughout the week to relax, play games, do a puzzle, read a book or just enjoy some quiet time.

If you would like to find out more about the RSL Wellbeing Room, our Lego Lunches and other wellbeing events in the RSL, please email enquiries.rsl@bodleian.ox.ac.uk.

Students in Wellbeing Room at Radcliffe Science Library, University of Oxford

Photo (c) John Cairns

Discover the wellbeing events and facilities on offer in the Bodleian libraries here.

Reading and Writing Innovation Lab Workshop Series

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Smart Ways to Speed up Studying

Reading and note taking are essential academic skills that you develop throughout your studies and research. But did you know that there is a whole range of devices and apps that can help you read and write more efficiently and keep all your notes organised? Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) is also opening exciting possibilities for researching and writing, but understanding the limitations of current AI tech and where it is appropriate to use these tools for academic work is challenging.

Illustration of digital devices including laptop, mobile phones, calculator, plus notebooks and pens

Credit: Image created by AI using DALL.E.-3 on Microsoft Copilot

To help guide you through the landscape of apps, websites, gadgets and gizmos, we are delighted to announce that the Radcliffe Science Library will be hosting the Reading and Writing Innovation Lab Workshop series in Trinity Term. This Workshop series consists of three 90-minute sessions:

Hardware and software for more efficient reading: Choosing e-readers, tablets and reading apps

An exploration of digital reading technologies, covering both hardware and software. Participants will learn about various strategies for effective digital reading and gain hands-on experience with tools. Topics include choosing the right e-reader, understanding e-readers versus tablets, using digital handwriting on devices, and optimising reading and note-taking workflows with tablets and apps.

When: 26th April, 1pm – 2.30pm
Where: In person, Seminar Room, Radcliffe Science Library
Availability: Free. Booking required. Booking details HERE

Guide to the note-taking revolution: New tools for organising readings and reading notes 

An overview of contemporary note-taking tools, including OneNote, Notion and Obsidian. This session offers insights into effective note organisation strategies and workflows. Participants will have the opportunity to familiarise themselves with different note taking applications. This workshop will also delve into the integration of note-taking with planning tools, and the emerging trend of audio note-taking.

When: 3rd May, 1pm – 2.30pm
Where: In person, Seminar Room, Radcliffe Science Library
Availability: Free. Booking required. Booking details HERE

Integrating AI into your Academic Practice Responsibly

A detailed look at the role of generative AI in academic practice. This workshop covers the process of assessing academic tasks for AI compatibility and choosing the most suitable AI tool. It also discusses the common tasks where AI is widely used in academia and the typical pitfalls to avoid. A useful session for those interested in integrating AI into academic work without compromising integrity.

When: 24th May, 1pm – 2.30pm
Where: In person, Seminar Room, Radcliffe Science Library
Availability: Free. Booking required. Booking details HERE

These workshops will be presented by Dominik Lukes from the University of Oxford Centre for Teaching and Learning’s Reading and Writing Innovation Lab. The workshops are open to all University members, including undergraduates, postgraduates, academics and researchers.

All these workshops are free, but spaces are limited and pre-booking is essential. To find out more details and look at all the sessions, please visit our booking page.

Laptop, notepad and pen, cup of tea

Credit: Engin Akyurt, Pixabay

Check out our Resource of the Month – GeoRef

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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.

This month’s selector is:

Rachel Scanlon

Subject Librarian – Physical and Applied Sciences
Subject Librarian for Computer Science, Earth Sciences, Materials and Statistics

Photograph of Rachel Scanlon

Rachel has selected the database GeoRef, available on SOLO

Brief description

From the American Geological Institute (AGI), GeoRef is the most comprehensive geoscience database available. It provides access to a wide range of geoscience literature from around the world in the form of articles, books, maps, conference papers and more.

The GeoRef database covers the geology of North America from 1666 to the present and the geology of the rest of the world from 1933 to the present. The database includes references to all publications of the US Geological Survey.

GeoRef logo and collage

Search functions

Along with the Basic Search function there is also an Advanced Search, though we recommend using the Multi-Field Search for ease of use. All these searches accept Boolean operators and allow you to conduct detailed keyword searches. GeoRef also has an excellent thesaurus function with more than 40,000 controlled vocabulary terms and the complete GeoRef indexing structure. If you find a Subject Heading in your results that you find useful you can click on that term and see all related results.

Who is this useful for?

This database is useful for students and researchers working in Earth Sciences, particularly geology, geophysics, geochemistry and seismology. It may also be of use to geographers or economists interested in petrology and mineralogy.

How can I access it?

The GeoRef database 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).

A new book display for April concentrating on wellbeing

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With exams and deadlines fast approaching Trinity Term can be a very hectic time for students and staff. It’s important to take time for your own wellbeing and many people enjoy reading literature, poetry or non-academic works as a way to take a break.

We have a wide range of titles in our wellbeing collection in the Radcliffe Science Library and have highlighted a few of them in our book display this month. Pop down to the lower-ground floor and check out our display with titles covering a wide range of topics from harnessing the healing power of classical music to escaping escaping into the fantasy worlds of Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett to having a chuckle at the idiosyncrasies of British life with the irresistible humour of Bill Bryson (they do say that laughter is the best medicine…).

All of the books in the display are borrowable along with those in the Wellbeing Room. If there are any titles you would like added to the collection please contact rsl-wellbeing@bodleian.ox.ac.uk.

Photograph of the wellbeing book display showing two rows of books.

Do you prefer to bolster your mental health or read a short story?

Book Display 

Book cover of 'Chivalry' by Neil GaimanGaiman, N. et al. (2022) Chivalry. London: Headline.

Available as a print book from the RSL at shelfmark PN6700 GAI 2022 (WBR)

 

Book cover of 'Heartstopper' by Alice Oseman

Oseman, A. (2019) Heartstopper. Volume 5. London: Hodder Children’s Books.

Available as a print book from the RSL at shelfmark PN6737.O84 OSE 2023 (WBR)

 

Book cover of 'Love in Colour' by Bolu Babalola

Babalola, B. (2021) Love in Colour. London: Headline.

Available as a print book from the RSL at shelfmark PR6102 BAB 2020 (WBR)

Book cover of 'Reasons to Stay Alive' by Matt Haig

Haig, M. (2016) Reasons to Stay Alive. Edinburgh: Canongate.

Available as a print book from the RSL at shelfmark WM171.5 HAI 2016 (WBR)

Book cover of 'Rewriting the Rules' by Meg-John Barker

Barker, M.-J. (2018) Rewriting the Rules: An Anti Self-Help Guide to Love, Sex and Relationships. 2nd Edition. Abingdon, Oxon; Routledge.

Available as a print book from the RSL at shelfmark BF575.I5.B37 BAR 2018 (WBR)

Book cover of 'Soul Music' by Terry Pratchett

Pratchett, T. (2013) Soul Music. New York: Harper, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers.

Available as a print book from the RSL at shelfmark PR6066.R34 PRA 2013 (WBR)

Book cover of 'The Road to Little Dribbling' by Bill Bry

Bryson, B. (2016) The Road to Little Dribbling: More Notes from a Small Island. London: Black Swan.

Available as a print book from the RSL at shelfmark DA632 BRY 2016 (WBR)

Book cover of 'The Story' by Victoria Hislop

Hislop, V. (ed.) (2021) The Story: 100 Great Short Stories Written by Women. London: Head of Zeus, an Apollo book.

Available as a print book from the RSL at shelfmark PR111 HIS 2021 (WBR)

Book cover of 'The Unbreakable Student' by Nic HooperHooper, N. (2021) The Unbreakable Student: 6 Rules for Staying Sane at University. London: Robinson.

Available as a print book from the RSL at shelfmark WM101 HOO 2021 (WBR)

Book cover of 'Unmasking Autism' by Devon Price

Price, D. (2022) Unmasking Autism: The Power of Embracing our Hidden Neurodiversity.
London: Monoray.

Available as a print book from the RSL at shelfmark HV1570.23 PRI 2022 (WBR)

 

Book cover of 'We're Not Broken' by Eric Garcia

Garcia, E. (2022) We’re Not Broken: Changing the Autism Conversation.
First Harvest paperback edition. New York: Harvest, An Imprint of William Morrow.

Available as a print book from the RSL at shelfmark BF637 GAR 2022 (WBR)

 

Book Cover of 'Year of Wonder' by Clemency Burton-Hill

Burton-Hill, C. (2017) Year of Wonder: Classical Music for Every Day.
London: Headline.

Available as a print book from the RSL at shelfmark ML160 BUR 2018 (WBR)

The Radcliffe Science Library is CLOSED today

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Unfortunately we have to close the Radcliffe Science Library IMMEDIATELY today, Thursday 21 March, due to a burst water pipe. We expect to open as normal tomorrow, Friday 22 March.

Apologies for the inconvenience.

Other Bodleian libraries are not affected, please try using one of the other Bodleian Libraries.

Keep an eye on our website and social media for updates.

Sorry we're closed sign

Credit: Geralt, Pixabay