Not sure where to study in the library? Find out more about our study spaces

A person stood with their finger to their chin and head slanted to one side, looking quizzical. A large question mark is in the air above them.

Not sure where to study in the SSL? We have a variety of study spaces/seating for you to choose from. We also have different volume levels assigned to our study spaces, so you can easily find a silent space or somewhere you can talk. Read on below to discover the different options and then all you have to do is decide what suits you best!

Prefer to study with your friends? Does being surrounded by other people studying help you get down to work?

Our open plan seating might be your best choice. We have two options available:

One of open plan seating areas in the Social Science Library

A large open plan seating area on the Manor Road side of the library. Floor to ceiling windows ensure lots of natural light. The desks are roomy which means you can spread out your study materials. Desks are equipped with devices to lock your laptops to and power sockets (either above or below the desks). This area of the library is designated a Silent Zone (silent study, no conversations)

The open plan seating area in the Social Science Library with partitioned seating

Our second area of open plan seating is located on the river facing side of the library. These desks are partitioned, to allow for a degree of privacy. Again, there is plenty of natural light from the windows adjacent to the seating and a more leafy view. Desks are equipped with power sockets. This area of the library is also designated a Silent Zone (silent study, no conversations)

Does being surrounded by others distract you? Do you prefer a space where you can be completely on your own or with only a few people nearby?

Our study carrels, individual partitioned seating or individual study desks will be your best choice:

Two of the individual study carrels in the Social Science Library

We have ten study carrels. Two are double carrels and the rest are single. All are sound proofed, have power sockets and Wi-Fi. All have over head lighting and are equipped with desk lamps. The carrels designated for general use operate on a first-come, first served basis. See our guide to study carrel etiquette.

The individual study desks along the west side of the Social Science Library

If the study carrels are all in use, there are individual desks situated on the side of the library facing the St Cross Building, overlooking the car park. These are also helpfully removed from distractions and noise (turn right at the end of the Issue Desk and then go left past the Discussion Rooms to reach this area). Note that these desks do not have power sockets. This area of the library is designated a Silent Zone (silent study, no conversations)

photo (c) John Cairns

The alternative is the study area at the back of the library (running along from in front of the Quiet Study Room towards the Silent Study Room) this is a partitioned seating area for quiet individual study. Half of these seats have been designated a laptop free zone. We request that readers do not use a laptop or a device with an external keyboard at these seats. Tablets and other devices with silent keyboards may still be used. The seats in this area are clearly labelled. All desks in this area have power sockets. This area of the library is designated a Silent Zone (silent study, no conversations)

Looking for a space to have a discussion, give a presentation or engage in group work? Our Discussion Rooms will suit your needs.

A groups of students having a conversation in the Small Discussion Room in the Social Science Library

photo (c) John Cairns

Our Small Discussion Room comfortably seats 8 and the Large Discussion Room seats 16.  Both rooms are equipped with whiteboards and projectors. Marker pens, board rubbers and remote controls for the projectors can be borrowed from the issue desk. Power sockets are also available. Both rooms are equipped with dimmer switches, so you can choose the light level you require. Use our online booking tool to book one of the rooms. These 2 rooms have been designated a Discussion Zone: Discussions, presentations, group work and conversations are permitted

Do you want plenty of desk space to spread out? Do you want to be away from the main open plan study areas? Our two Study Rooms at the back of the Library will be a good choice for you.

The Quier Study Room in the SSL.

Our Quiet Study Room is equipped with whiteboards and all desks have power sockets. Besides large spacious desks, the room also contains one manual height-adjustable desk and one standing desk. Windows along the back wall provide natural light. This room has been designated a Quiet Zone where brief, low volume conversations are permitted.

The Silent Study Room in the SSL.

The Silent Study Room contains desks with partitioned seating and power sockets.The room also has one electronic and one manual height-adjustable desk. Windows on two sides provide natural light. This room has been designated a silent zone (silent study, no conversations).

The Q-Step Centre Teaching Lab in the Social Science Library

An alternative space is the Q-Step Centre Teaching Lab (located at the back of the library, on the side facing the St Cross Building). This room is used for teaching Quantitative Methods to undergraduate students from 1pm – 6.15pm every weekday of the teaching term (Weeks 1 – 8). Outside these hours the room is accessible to all readers.

Forgotten your laptop or would prefer to work on a proper computer with desk space? Our computer area or Information Skills Training Room will be a good choice.

Our main computer area is equipped with 23 PCs, this includes a dedicated Data Area with PCs containing specialist software.

The Information Skills Training Room in the Social Science Library

The Information Skills Training Room offers 20 PCs, LCD projector and screen. It is occasionally booked for training sessions but if it is free, you are welcome to use it. This area is normally less busy than our main computer area. All the monitors and keyboard are housed within the desk, so lift the covers of the desks to access them. This room is equipped with a dimmer switch, so you can choose the light level you require.

Have your own device but want to connect it to a monitor? We have 6 monitors available for you to use

Monitiors on desks in the SSL

The monitors are located at the end of our main computer area, on desks adjacent to the windows. Cables to connect your devices can be borrowed from our issue desk.

Prefer to be more relaxed and sit in individual comfy chairs or want to take a break from studying? Our comfortable seating area, which is also a Wellbeing Corner, will suit your needs.

The comfortable seating in our Wellbeing Corner

There are 6 blue comfortable chairs on the side of the library facing the St Cross Building, behind our main computer area. There is plenty of natural daylight in this area. Our Wellbeing Corner has a selection of puzzle and colouring books for you to use in the library, as well as a jigsaw puzzle.

We also have a range of Ergonomic Furniture for you to use:

The Library has 7 height-adjustable desks (5 electronic, 2 manual) and 6 fixed height standing desks in the following locations:

Electronic Height-Adjustable Desks

Two of the height adjustable desks in the Social Science Library

  • 2 are behind the main computer area (also equipped with PCs)
  • 2 in the open plan study area on the river facing side of the Library
  • 1 in the Silent Study Room

Manual Height-Adjustable Desks

  • 1 in the Quiet Study Room
  • 1 in the Silent Study Room

Fixed-Height Standing Desks

  • 3 in the study area on the river facing side of the Library
  • 1 at the end of the partitioned seating area outside the Silent Study Room
  • 1 in the quiet study area by the windows facing the St Cross Building
  • 1 in the Quiet Study Room

Ergonomic Chairs

The Library also has 10 RH Logic ergonomic chairs located around the library. Please feel free to move them to where you would like to sit (or ask staff for assistance with doing this).

Standard adjustable chairs are available in the silent and quiet Study Rooms and at desks equipped with PCs. Library staff will fetch or move these on request.

The back of a person's heads. They are in the process of putting on some headphones

Look out for signage indicating the volume level for a zone:

A speaker with a cross next to it, on a blue backgroundSilent Zone: Silent study, no conversations

Main seating areas & Silent Study Room

Information Skills Training Room & Q-Step Centre Training Lab (when not in use for teaching)

 

 A speaker with a cross next to it, on a yellow background

Quiet Zone: Brief, low volume conversations permitted.

Quiet Study Room

 

A speaker with a cross next to it, on a green background

Discussion Zone: Discussions, presentations, group work and conversations are permitted

Large Discussion Room and Small Discussion Room

Take some time out from your studies in our new Wellbeing Corner

Comfortable seating area in the SSL on a table is a jigsaw puzzle, colouring books, pens and puzzle books

Need a break from your studies? Why not spend some time in our new Wellbeing Corner. Located in our comfortable seating area behind our library PCs, you will find:

  • mindful colouring books, with colouring pencils
  • a quick crossword book
  • a sudoku puzzle book
  • a word search book
  • a jigsaw puzzle for you to complete

Please feel free to use any of the materials in the library but do return them to the coffee table, for others to use, after use.

The back view of a person sat reading a book on an electronic device

Want to improve your wellbeing by reading? Explore the collection of online self-help books recommended by the Oxford University Counselling Service book recommendations:

 

 

 

Help the library and win an Oxford River cruise for two!

Close up on hands typing on the keyboard of a laptop,

  • Do you have a reading list and don’t know where to start?
  • Do you want to find your readings on your reading list more quickly?
  • Do you have difficulty in finding essential readings on your reading list?

Help us in helping you by taking part in a 20 – 30 minute review on your experience in finding resources from your reading list and enter a prize draw for an Oxford River Cruise for Two!

The Survey closes on Friday 8th March.

Note that this survey is intended for University of Oxford students on taught undergraduate and postgraduate programmes (including MPhil, MSc, MSt degrees) in social science subjects supported by the SSL.

Free Bodleian iSkills workshops in 7th week

A photo of a laptop open with the iSkills logo on the screenBodleian iSkills workshops aim to develop your skills in information discovery and scholarly communications, covering a variety of resources across a wide range of disciplines. They are primarily aimed at University of Oxford students and staff. Some workshops take place face-to-face, whilst others are run online.

The workshops are FREE but online booking is essential. A list of the sessions taking place this term can be found on the iSkills Workshops webpage.

A cartoon image of a person's hands resting on a laptop with a woman's head and shoulder's on the screen, a cup of coffee, notebook and pens next to them on the table.

Workshops taking place this week in 7th week

Tuesday 27th February 10:00-11:30
Preparing for your literature review in the Social Sciences
Get ready to undertake your literature review using your own research questions to build a successful search and apply it to a range of library resources. By the end of the session you will be able to: build a successful search strategy; use a range of bibliographic databases and search tools in the Social Sciences; work effectively with large result sets; source highly cited papers relevant to your research; and set up alerts for newly-published papers on your topic.

Format: Online using Microsoft Teams. 

Tuesday 27th February 11:30-13:00
Playing in the open: Getting familiar with Creative Commons licences
Create content for your teaching or research with greater confidence by attending our session on Creative Commons (CC) licences. Learn how they work, how they interact with copyright and how to use them to best effect. The session will make special reference to images but is applicable to all media, including written works. We’ll finish the session with a Creative Commons card game.

Format: Classroom-based (Seminar Room, Radcliffe Science Library).

 

Wednesday 28th February 10:00-11:00
Referencing: Zotero
An introduction to the functionality of Zotero, a software programme used to manage references and create bibliographies. The workshop will cover: understanding the main features and benefits of Zotero; setting up a Zotero account; importing references from different sources into Zotero; organising your references in Zotero; inserting citations into documents; and creating a bibliography/reference list.
Format: Online using Microsoft Teams.

 

Thursday 29th February 14:30-16:00
Open Scholarship: Logistics of open scholarship
The second in a duo of courses (attendees should attend the Fundamentals course or complete the eLearning module Digital Induction to Open Access prior to Logistics) that will cover the logistics of researching, publishing, and locating open scholarship resources and tools at the University of Oxford. 

Format: Online using Microsoft Teams. 

Green Action Week (19 to 23 February) Pop-up Book Display

The SSL are proud to support Green Action Week!

This week (19 to 23 March) the University’s Environmental Sustainability team is hosting the 2024 Green Action Week – a week full of exciting events that empower and celebrate environmental action.

The week aims to enhance networking and exchange of ideas, engage students and staff with research, promote environmental action, raise awareness, encourage wellbeing and celebrate with colleagues.

Green Action Week offers a full and exciting programme of environmental events and opportunities delivered by over 30 partners across the University. From departments and colleges to SU, students’ societies, volunteer groups and suppliers.

Want some tips on how to be Green?

Take a look at our pop-up book display around the corner from our Issue Desk.

Here are a few of the titles on display:

Go lightly : how to travel without hurting the planet / Nina Karnikowski. 2021

 

 

 

 

 

Things you can do : how to fight climate change and reduce waste / Eduardo Garcia. 2022

 

 

 

Living plantfully : your guide to growing, cooking and living a healthy, happy & sustainable plant-based lifeLindsey Harrad. 2022

 

 

Further reading from our collection:

No one is too small to make a difference / Greta Thunberg.  2019.  SSL shelfmark: GE195.7.THU 2019

 

 

How bad are bananas? : the carbon footprint of everything / Mike Berners-Lee. 2010.  SSL shelfmark: GE196.BER 2010

 

 

Less is more : how degrowth will save the world / Jason Hickel.  2020.  SSL shelfmark: HC79.E5.HIC 2020

 

 

Wilding : the return of nature to a British farm / Isabella Tree.  2019.  SSL shelfmark: QL83.4.TRE 2019

 

 

LGBT+ History Month

The whole month of February is LGBT+ History Month and this year’s theme is Medicine -#UnderTheScope

A pop up book display has been set -up which aims to highlight some of the titles that are already in the Social Science Library’s collection. All of the books are borrowable!

Seven books on the subject of LGBT plus history are arranged around a LGBT plus history month poster.

Some highlights from the display:

 

The end of innocence by Simon Garfield 

A neon green book cover with black text that reads The end of innocence; Britain in the time of Aids  

A re-issue of the original 1994 text investigating the AIDS crisis in Britain. This edition features both a brand new foreword by Russel T Davies, creator of the renowned series It’s a sin, and a new afterword by the author which explores what has changed since the book was originally published.

 

 

Bi: the hidden culture, history and science of bisexuality by Julia Shaw

A book cover on which two pink and blue circles intersect with the word Bi in the middle

 

Bisexuality, the world’s largest sexual minority, is explored in this book by psychological scientist Dr Julia Shaw.

This book is also available online

 

 

 

Before we were trans; a new history of gender by Kit Heyam

A book cover with an black and white photo of gender fluid individuals.

 

Kit Heyam provides a broad view of the history of gender fluidity with examples from around the world that go beyond the gender binary.

 

 

 

 

As well as the resources held by the Social Science Library there are wider Bodleian LGBT+ resources such as this Reading List which is regularly updated.

If you feel that there is a LGBT+ History Month title we should hold at the Social Science Library you can let us know by emailing ssl-orders@bodleian.ox.ac.uk or via the Bodleian’s Recommend a purchase page.

Learn more about LGBT+ History Month via their website

Free Bodleian iSkills workshops in 6th Week

A photo of a laptop open with the iSkills logo on the screenBodleian iSkills workshops aim to develop your skills in information discovery and scholarly communications, covering a variety of resources across a wide range of disciplines. They are primarily aimed at University of Oxford students and staff. Some workshops take place face-to-face, whilst others are run online.

The workshops are FREE but online booking is essential. A list of the sessions taking place this term can be found on the iSkills Workshops webpage.

A cartoon image of a person's hands resting on a laptop with a woman's head and shoulder's on the screen, a cup of coffee, notebook and pens next to them on the table.

Workshops taking place this week in 6th week

 

Tuesday 20th February 10:00-11:30
Keeping up to date with research
An introduction to using alerts to keep up to date with new research and save you time. A combination of presenter-led instruction and the opportunity for participants to set up email alerts to receive notifications for publications in their field of research. The workshop will cover: how email alerts can help you; setting up alerts on your favourite databases and other platforms for new content in your field; and managing your alerts.

Format: 
Online using Microsoft Teams.

Tuesday 20th February 14:30-16:30
Scholarly literature for your review
In this interactive workshop you will learn how to create an effective search query and have the opportunity to try out a range of tools that you can use to search for scholarly materials to support your research. You will: learn how to find books and other scholarly items in Oxford libraries using SOLO; search for journal articles using subject databases and scholarly search engines; and be signposted towards learning materials you can use if you are interested in searching for conference proceedings, theses and dissertations.
Format: Online using Microsoft Teams.

Wednesday 21st February 14:00-16:00
Referencing: EndNote
EndNote is a desktop-based reference management tool for Windows and Mac users, which helps you build libraries of references and insert them into your Word document as in-text citations or footnotes and automatically generate bibliographies. The workshop will cover: what EndNote can do for you; adding references to EndNote from a range of sources; managing your references in an EndNote library; adding in-text citations and/or footnotes to your essays and papers; and creating bibliographies.
Format: Online using Microsoft Teams.

Free Bodleian iSkills workshops in 5th week

A photo of a laptop open with the iSkills logo on the screenBodleian iSkills workshops aim to develop your skills in information discovery and scholarly communications, covering a variety of resources across a wide range of disciplines. They are primarily aimed at University of Oxford students and staff. Some workshops take place face-to-face, whilst others are run online.

The workshops are FREE but online booking is essential. A list of the sessions taking place this term can be found on the iSkills Workshops webpage.

A cartoon image of a person's hands resting on a laptop with a woman's head and shoulder's on the screen, a cup of coffee, notebook and pens next to them on the table.

Workshops taking place this week in 5th week

 

Monday 12th February 13:30-16:30
Referencing: Zotero

An introduction to the functionality of Zotero, a software programme used to manage references and create bibliographies. The workshop will cover: understanding the main features and benefits of Zotero; setting up a Zotero account; importing references from different sources into Zotero; organising your references in Zotero; inserting citations into documents; and creating a bibliography/reference list.
Format: Classroom-based (Thames Suite, IT Services). 

 

Tuesday 13th February 10:30-11:30
Open Scholarship: Your thesis, copyright & ORA

Oxford DPhil students are required to deposit a copy of their thesis in the Oxford University Research Archive (ORA). This online session will focus on what ORA is and how to deposit one’s thesis in ORA, and how to access help with this process. It will also cover the relevant rights and permissions required and other issues that DPhil students need to take into account when preparing their thesis for upload to ORA.
Who is this session for? All doctoral research students.
Format: Online using Microsoft Teams.

Tuesday 13th February  14:00-15:30
Referencing: RefWorks

RefWorks is a web-based reference management tool for Windows and Macs which helps you to collect and manage references and insert them into your Word document as in-text citations or footnotes and generate bibliographies. Topics covered in the online session include: understanding RefWorks and what it can do for you; adding references to RefWorks from a range of sources; managing your references; adding in-text citations and/or footnotes to your papers; creating bibliographies; where to get help with RefWorks.
Format: Online using Microsoft Teams.

 

Wednesday 14th February 10:00-12:00
Working with sensitive research data

A workshop outlining some of the key principles to bear in mind when working with sensitive or restricted research; whether collected yourself or obtained from a third-party source such as a data archive. Issues of confidentiality, informed consent, cybersecurity and data management will be covered. Examples of scenarios or concerns drawn from the research of participants are particularly welcome.
Format: Classroom-based (Social Science Library). 

 

Friday 16th February  09:30-12:30
Referencing: EndNote

An introduction to EndNote, open to all, that teaches you how to use the software so that you can effectively manage your references. The workshop will cover: what EndNote can do for you; adding references to EndNote from a range of sources; managing your references in an EndNote library; adding in-text citations and/or footnotes to your essays and papers; creating bibliographies.
Who is this session for?
 Oxford students, researchers and other staff.
Format: Classroom-based (Thames Suite, IT Services).

Our Resource of the Month for February: Sociology Collection

Each month, one of our Subject Librarians chooses an electronic resource which they feel will be of interest to you.

John Southall sat next to a computer in the Social Science Library.

February’s Resource of the Month has been selected by John Southall, Bodleian Data Librarian and Subject Consultant for Economics and Sociology.

An open laptop on a desk. On the screen are the words 'Sociology Collection.' To the left is a notepad and pen and to the right a cup of coffee.

John’s choice is Sociology Collection. It was chosen as it has extensive historical coverage and provides regularly updated indexing of core sociological journals based upon the “Thesaurus of Sociological Indexing Terms.”

Overview

The Sociology Collection is provided by Proquest; an information database platform vendor specialising in full text, abstracts and indexes.

It provides a single entry point to ‘Sociological Abstracts’, ‘Sociology Database’ and ‘Applied Social Sciences Index and Abstracts’ (ASSIA). Each database may be searched together or individually and offers coverage of the international literature in sociology and social services. It provides abstracts, indexing and full-text coverage of journal articles, books, book chapters, dissertations and working papers, including full-text from hundreds of leading sociology journals.

Where can you access the resource

Sociology Collection is available to access via SOLO. A Single-Sign-On (SSO) is required to access this database, as it is restricted to Oxford University students and staff members.