Check out our Resource of the Month – SPIE Digital Library

Posted on 3 June 2024 by lhoward

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.

Alessandra 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.

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

Posted on 20 May 2024 by lhoward

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

Karine 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

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

Rachel Scanlon
01865 272824
rachel.scanlon@bodleian.ox.ac.uk

Subject Librarian – Physical and Applied Sciences, supporting:

Computer Science
Earth Science
Materials Science
Statistics

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

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.

You said, we did

Posted on 13 May 2024 by thomascorrick

You said, we did!

The RSL team have been working hard to gather your feedback on the newly reopened library. You may have left a suggested on the feedback whiteboard, or maybe you had a chat with one of us. We received an eclectic range of suggestions and we took it all on board and are pleased to show you some of the cool new stuff you asked for!

(To those who requested it: Sorry, we won’t be getting an RSL cat any time soon…)

Vending machines!

Our new vending machines offer snacks, cold drinks, and hot drinks

There are now two vending machines in the vending area. Here you can purchase a variety of snacks as well as cold and hot drinks. Cards and cash are accepted.

Lids for drinks!

If you’re purchasing a drink from one of the vending machines, please help yourself to a lid from the counter.

Lids can be found on the kitchenette counter

Remember:

Drinking water and drinks contained in a KeepCup or another container with a sealable lid are allowed throughout the RSL. Other food and drinks are not allowed in the reading rooms or on the stairs. Cold food and drinks in sealed cups are allowed in certain spaces; please check the signage.

More seating!

We’re still figuring out some aspects of the new layout, but we’ve found the space to bring in more seating.

Extra tables can be found in the social study space and reading rooms

Laptop stands!

We’ve purchased height adjustable laptop stands for all reading rooms.

Feel free to grab a laptop stand and get settled in

Sanitary products!

There’s now free tampons and pads in all RSL bathrooms for those moments when you need them. Let a member of staff know if we’ve run out or are getting low.

A range of pads and tampons are available in all RSL toilets

Wellbeing goodies!

If you’ve been to the wellbeing room recently (situated on the lower floor, floorplan here) you might have noticed an increase in activities on offer: We’ve added in more of the things you have asked for: markers, chess set, uno, and even more paper for origami.

Think you can do better? Give it a go!

Don’t forget to pop into one of our Lego lunches which run in the Wellbeing Room 1300-1400 on Wednesdays.

We’re continually looking to improve the RSL, so please do drop us a line if you have any comments or suggestions: enquiries.rsl@bodleian.ox.ac.uk

Check out our Resource of the Month – Zoological Record

Posted on 3 May 2024 by lhoward

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

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!

Posted on 22 April 2024 by lhoward

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

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.

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!

Reading and Writing Innovation Lab Workshop Series

Posted on 16 April 2024 by lhoward

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: 26^th 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: 3^rd 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: 24^th 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.

Credit: Engin Akyurt, Pixabay

Check out our Resource of the Month – GeoRef

Posted on 9 April 2024 by lhoward

This month’s selector is:

Rachel Scanlon

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

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.

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).

Do you need a book or resource that we don’t currently stock?

Posted on 20 March 2024 by lhoward

We have a wide range of books and resources at the RSL – but if we don’t have what you want, we can try and source or purchase it for you, via our Recommend a Purchase scheme.

Photo (c) John Cairns

If a book or another resource that you need for your studies or research is not currently held in the libraries or online, we will be happy to find it for you, if we can. The Recommend a Purchase option is a valuable additional tool, and we welcome suggestions and recommendations from both students and staff.

You can submit a request via Bodleian Libraries website (SSO required) – but before submitting a request, do check SOLO to make sure the resource is not already available in Oxford. You can also use our inter-library loan service.

Our specialist subject librarians liaise with various divisions and departments to ensure we purchase books and resources that are useful and meet the requirements of both staff and students. When completing the form, please give us as much detail as possible about the book or resource that you are recommending – the more information you give, the more helpful it will be for us.

We can purchase print books and e-books where they are available. This can include out-of-print books, and foreign language material.

Your request will then be passed on to the relevant subject librarian for consideration, and you will be notified of the outcome in due course.

Credit: Arcaion, Pixabay

Have you tried BrowZine?

Posted on 15 March 2024 by lhoward

Have a browse on BrowZine. This helpful tool collates thousands of articles from multiple publishers and hundreds of platforms, making browsing quick and easy, and saving time searching for what you want.

BrowZine enables seamless access to all the electronic journals licensed by the Bodleian Libraries since 2005 – and it has also been integrated with SOLO, so with one click on an article you can download a pdf of it, go to the article on the web, and view the contents page of the journal issue.

Browsing couldn’t be more convenient with BrowZine. It breaks down journals into familiar subjects – and you can just click on each subject to see a list of categories within that subject. Look at all the journals under your specialist area, or select a category within it – and there are subcategories too so you can break it down into further specialisms to focus your study and research interests.

Just to give a little taster, on the BrowZine homepage you can see a list of subjects, such as Earth and Environmental Sciences:

If you click on Earth and Environmental Sciences, you will see categories such as Geosciences:

If you click on Geosciences, you will see subcategories such as Geomorphology:

Additional Features

Set up a personal account on BrowZine so that you can gain access to additional features. Use My Bookshelf to track your favourite journals, and use My Articles to save your favourite article, so you can return again and again to your favourite items quickly and easily.

BrowZine has access to all the electronic journals that the University of Oxford has subscribed to since 2005. For older articles and journals, you can browse SOLO or just click on See All in BrowZine and it will open that journal in SOLO.

The lower-ground floor of the Radcliffe Science Library is CLOSED next week

Posted on 12 March 2024 by lhoward

The lower-ground floor of the Radcliffe Science Library will be CLOSED from 18 March 2024 for up to one week.

This is to ensure necessary building work can be completed, including updating the doors to make the pathways through the library easier.

During this time, there will be no access to the Wellbeing Room, Group Study Room 1, the John Kidd Room or the individual study carrells.

The rest of the library will be open as usual – it is just the lower-ground floor that will be closed.

Credit: Tim Mossholder, Unsplash

There are a range of study spaces available in other Bodleian Libraries. Check out our previous post for some of our favourite spots.

We apologise for any inconvenience and will try to complete the works as quickly as possible.

If you would like further information or have any questions, please contact us: enquiries.rsl@bodleian.ox.ac.uk.

Science and Medicine

A Bodleian Libraries blog

Tag Archives: study

Check out our Resource of the Month – SPIE Digital Library

Brief description

Who is this useful for?

How can I access it?

Make an appointment with your subject/outreach librarian

You said, we did

You said, we did!

Vending machines!

Lids for drinks!

More seating!

Laptop stands!

Sanitary products!

Wellbeing goodies!

Check out our Resource of the Month – Zoological Record

Welcome back to the RSL!

Keep up to date

Reading and Writing Innovation Lab Workshop Series

Smart Ways to Speed up Studying

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

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

Integrating AI into your Academic Practice Responsibly

Check out our Resource of the Month – GeoRef

Do you need a book or resource that we don’t currently stock?

Have you tried BrowZine?

The lower-ground floor of the Radcliffe Science Library is CLOSED next week