Accessing the SSL from Monday 6 September

Student sat studying at a desk in the SSL

photo (c) John Cairns

From Monday 6 September, the Bodleian Libraries will be stopping Space Finder and the requirement to book a time slot to use libraries and reading rooms for all readers. No time slots from that date will therefore be available on Space Finder. This change applies to the Social Science Library.

The Click and Collect borrowing service will also be stopping.

We will still:

  • Strongly encourage readers to wear face coverings in our library spaces
  • Request readers scan the NHS Test and Trace QR codes displayed in our entrance area
  • Encourage all library users to limit close contact and respect others
  • Maintain an increased level of cleaning in our library

Visit the Bodleian Libraries Service Updates webpage for all the latest information

How to book a study space at the SSL

Access to our library is strictly by advance booking only, to ensure the continued safety of our staff and readers.

To book a desk space, including desks with PCs and height-adjustable desks, please visit our bookings page, select the category of workspace you would like to use and make a booking for the date(s) you wish to visit the library.

Bookings can be made for the whole day on Saturday and Sunday and for the morning or afternoon on Monday to Friday (though you can book both a morning and afternoon slot on the same day if you wish).

For Michaelmas Term (Sunday 11 October onwards) you can choose to make bookings for the following times:

  • Sunday 11:00-19:00 (all day)
  • Monday – Friday 09:30-13:30 “morning” and 14:00-19:00 “afternoon”
  • Saturday 10:00-18:00 (all day)

If you wish to just come into the library to browse our shelves, you can choose the ‘Browse and Borrow only [NO DESK]’ option when booking your study space. This entitles you to browse our collection, borrow items via our Self Issue Machines and also use our photocopiers/printers but it doesn’t allow you to sit and study in the library.

If you know the exact title you need though and it is a borrowable item, you may prefer to use our Click & Collect service.

Please Note: Demand for desks in the Bodleian Libraries is very high and therefore you may need to check regularly for available slots. Slots are released each day due to cancellations and same day bookings can be made up to 8am each morning. Additional slots are released, 7 days in advance, between 7.30am – 9.30am each morning.

After submitting your request, you will receive a confirmation email containing important information on the new arrangements in place in our libraries. Please read this carefully.

When you arrive at the library, please show your University/Bodleian Readers card to a member of staff at the issue desk and they will confirm your booking and give you directions as to our study space usage.

Remember that if there is no space available on your day of choice, you could instead make a booking for a study space in another Bodleian Library. Use the Space Finder tool to see study space availability across all the Bodleian Libraries with one search.

If you are no longer able to attend, please cancel by emailing reader.services@bodleian.ox.ac.uk to free up availability for others.

 

SSL Reading Rooms to open from Monday 17 August

From Monday 17 August, readers will be admitted to the Social Science Library to use our study spaces and consult our onsite collections.

Access to the library is strictly by advance booking only, to ensure the continued safety of our staff and readers.

To book a desk space, including desks with PCs, height-adjustable desks and study carrels, please visit our bookings page, select the category of workspace you would like to use and make a booking for the date(s) you wish to visit the library.

You can book workspaces from a minimum of one day to a maximum of two weeks in advance.

You will be able to book a whole day (currently 10am-4pm), and can arrive and leave at any point during the day.

After submitting your request, you will receive a confirmation email containing important information on the new arrangements in place in our libraries. Please read this carefully.

For more information on the re-opening of Bodleian Libraries Reading Rooms, please visit: https://www.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/using/reading-rooms.