ORA AI Collection

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning have existed as areas of research for many years but recently these areas have come to the forefront in research in many different disciplines. There are many departments and groups across the University of Oxford that are using and developing AI tools in their research. Many of these research projects have practical applications in medicine, the environment, business and many other areas of society.

Image shows many bubbles cascading out from a central, larger sphere.

Image created by Nidia Dias as part of the Visualising AI project launched by Google DeepMind. Free to use under the Unsplash License

The Bodleian Libraries have recently launched the ORA (Oxford Research Archive) collection on Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning available from the homepage of ORA (Oxford Research Archive), the institutional repository for the University of Oxford.

The ORA AI collection gathers AI-related research on many journal articles, conference papers, working papers, preprints, and more – produced by the members of the University of Oxford and mostly available in full text on ORA. The ORA AI homepage also provides links to Oxford AI-related research activities and to research information included in a range of other platforms.

Image shows the sillouette of a human head with scientific symbols.

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA-NC 4.0

To mark the launch of the ORA AI collection, an event showcasing current research on AI and Machine Learning from DPhil students and early career researchers will be held on the 19th March, 10 -11.30am in the Taylor Institution.

Winter Mental Health Display 2023

We know that winter and the holidays can be a challenging time for people. Although for some people it is “the most wonderful time of the year”, this isn’t the case for everyone. It can exacerbate existing mental health issues and lead to feelings of loneliness. However, there are resources to help. We have some links below to the Student Welfare pages and the Student Counselling service. You can also pop into the Wellbeing room in the RSL and try out a weighted blanket, some knitting or read a book. We have a collection of novels, poems, wellbeing books and more in our Wellbeing collection. All of the books in the collection can be borrowed.

We have also put together a book display covering topics of mental health and winter blues. The digital display is here on our blog and the physical display is located in the Radcliffe Science Library, in our breakout space downstairs. Stay warm and take care of yourself physically and mentally over the winter period.

Continue reading

New Resource: Curiosity Collection

Text reads New resource over a range of scientific, computer and book related images

New Book Collection

Ever wondered how computer algorithms and AI are changing our lives? Or perhaps you’ve got your eye on a future trip to Mars? Maybe you’d like to peep into the world of quantum mechanics or see the world from an ant’s perspective over your lunch break? Find the funnier side of mathematics (there really is one!)? If you’re intrigued by science in all its variety, this collection is for you!

What is it?

The Curiosity Collection showcases entertaining, informative and topical scientific writing and science journalism. You’ll find books on themes such as climate change, artificial intelligence, and women in STEM. There is also a range of beautifully illustrated books with inspiring images of the natural world.

Photograph of a selection of books, in a bookcase, with a sign reading "Curiosity Collection".

Who is this for? 

This collection is for anybody with an interest in science and technology, particularly if you would like an accessible introduction to a new topic or would just like to feed your curiosity on an exciting area of science!

How can I access it? 

You’ll find the Curiosity Collection in the Breakout Space in the basement of the Radcliffe Science Library. It is available during library opening hours. You are welcome to both browse and borrow titles from this engaging selection. To borrow items, simply take your chosen book(s) to the Enquiry desk at the library entrance on the ground floor.

Check out our Resource of the Month for April

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:

Karine Barker

Photograph of Karine Barker

Karine Barker

Karine has selected HSTalks: The Biomedical & Life Sciences Collection by Henry Stewart Talks Ltd.

Brief Description

HSTalks: The Biomedical & Life Sciences Collection is a collection of high-quality online video lectures lasting between 10 and 60 minute long that are ideal for teaching, research and learning. The collection includes more than 3,000 specially commissioned seminar-style lectures by leading world experts, including Nobel Laureates and Lasker prize winners. There is material to support teaching at an undergraduate, graduate and post-graduate level, and the resource is also ideal for supporting research and clinician development. The lectures are also a great resource as a helpful revision tool to do additional research around the subject.

4 columns of panels giving titles of lectures with photos of speakers,with text "Multimedia Lectures by leading world experts" at the top.

HSTalks

Who is this useful for?

MSD Undergraduate and Graduate students in Biochemistry, BMS, Medicine, Neuroscience and Pharmacology,  MPLS Biology Undergraduate and Graduate students, and MSD and MPLS Biology research and teaching staff.

How can I access it?

This resource 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).

For teaching Staff

Would you like to include new content in your course, but don’t have time to look? Contact karine.barker@bodleian.ox.ac.uk about the content matching service.

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:

Ollie Bridle

Photo of Ollie Bridle

Ollie Bridle

Ollie has selected BIOSIS by Web of Science.

Brief Description

BIOSIS is a database of biological and biomedical research literature published since 1969. It not only covers academic journals, but also book chapters, meeting abstracts, technical reports, patents and other material. BIOSIS can be particularly useful to biologists as the records are enhanced with added taxonomic, genetic and biochemical information. This makes it possible to easily search for all records concerned with a specific gene or organism. BIOSIS records also benefit from the citation data available within Web of Science. This allows you to see related research available across the Web of Science platform that has cited documents you are interested in.

Scientist with white gloves swabbing a petri dish with an orange substance in it.

Photo by Trnava University on Unsplash

Who is this useful for?

This is a valuable database for anybody studying or researching biology, biochemistry, biomedical sciences or related disciplines. A great tool for researching everything from an undergraduate essay to a journal paper.

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).

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 equipmentThis month’s selector is:

Alessandra Vetrugno

Alessandra Vetrugno has selected Reaxys Academic Edition.

Brief Description

Reaxys Academic Edition is a vital resource for Chemistry research and education. Its extensive database covers Chemistry information dating as far back as 1771 and can be searched in different ways including by chemical structure and reaction type.
Its advanced search tools ensure fast access to:

  • Over 86 million documents
  • Over 179 million organic, inorganic and organometallic substances
  • >57 million chemical Reactions
  • More than 500M searchable experimental properties
  • >35 million Patents from 105 patent offices
  • Over 43 million bioactivity data points
  • Published and AI predicted synthesis routes
Overhead photograph of a beaker placed on a colourful periodic table

Photo by Vedrana Filipović on Unsplash.

Who is this useful for?

This resource is essential for Chemistry students and researchers, from undergraduate level up to academics. It is also relevant for researchers in Biochemistry and in Pharmacology, with, for example, its applications in drug discovery. It is also relevant for researchers in Materials Science as well as for researchers in Biochemistry and in Pharmacology, with, for example, its applications in drug discovery.

How can I access it?

Reaxys Academic Edition 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).

If you want to know more about searching Reaxys, you can talk to one of our friendly Subject Librarians! 😊

More loanable titles in the RSL

We currently have 450 metres of books on the open shelves in the RSL collection in the VHL. That’s over 18,000 books. 93% of which are loanable.

Photograph of a room with floor to ceiling shelves full of booksYou asked for more loanable books and we did it. We recently converted 6000 books that were only for use in the library so that they can now be borrowed.

6000 books is a lot to get through so sone of them still have the old labels but our library team are working through them as quickly as they can. If you want to check if a book can be borrowed just chat to the staff at the front desk.

This is a pilot scheme so we’d appreciate your feedback on the scheme enquiries.rsl@bodleian.ox.ac.uk

"Library Use Only" stickers being removed from books