RSL Decant 2020-21: Oversize and general book moves update

As part of the RSL Decant 2020-21, a number of works will need to be completed in the VHL to make space for RSL Readers and books. This includes a number of internal book moves. The Bodleian will try to ensure that these moves cause as little disruption as possible to VHL Readers.

At the end of this week, the following changes have taken place on the First and Second Floor.

  • All Oversize titles are now located on the First Floor (on the side closest to the Lift). Oversize materials have an x at the front of their Call numbers (for example xA 124 .B45 2000). If you are unsure if the book you are searching for is oversize or not, ask at the enquiry desk.
  • The rest of the titles on the First and Second Floor have been moved along the shelves to fill up empty shelf space, and create room for the RSL Collections. Readers may notice that some titles have been moved a few shelves along, but should still be available and on the same floor.

The Librarian will inform Readers if any further book moves between the 1st and 2nd Floor take place.

Other book moves which have taken place include:

Ground Floor

  • The Congressional Record has been moved into the VHL Stack, and is available by request (please include details such as the Congress/Volume that you require.) Please note that the Bodleian Library also provides online access to the Congressional Record.
  • A number of primary sources have been moved to the Ground Floor. Please check our previous blogpost on the Ground Floor book moves for more information. 
  • Items from the Microfilm collection have been moved to the BSF. Collections which have been moved are either collections where we have complete, stable online access, or other collections within the Bodleian Libraries. Microfilm cards can still be requested by Readers to be viewed in certain Bodleian Libraries.
  • Because of this, several Microfilm cabinets have been removed. The remaining cabinets have been reorganised.
  • The Reference collection has been relegated in line with Appendix C in the RSL Decant History Addendum, as part of the Consultation Process. The current collection is currently housed in the second to last island bay on the Ground Floor. Please refer to the Information Desk if you are having trouble finding any specific titles.
  • Metal shelving has been installed on the wall of the Godfrey Hodgson Study Room, to accommodate further book moves.

If you are struggling to find any specific titles, please ask at the Information Desk, or email vhl@bodleian.ox.ac.uk. For further information about the RSL Decant, email Bethan Davies, VHL Librarian at bethan.davies@bodleian.ox.ac.uk.

VHL Update: Library open with full services

Following the leak and shut-down of electrics in the RAI and VHL on Sunday and Monday, I am pleased to announce that we have full power restored to the Library across all floors.

As of Wednesday 13th November, we will resume our standard term opening hours. This includes:

  • Weekdays 9am-7pm
  • Saturdays 10am-4pm
  • Sundays 11am-5pm.

The Library will therefore be open tonight until 7pm.

Electricians will still need to come into the Library to finish their works. The Library will inform our readers of any potential disruption to their work caused by this.

We would like to take the opportunity to thank our readers for their patience during this time of disruption.

Wednesday 13th November: Library open with limited services continues

Following the leak and shut-down of electrics in the RAI and VHL on Sunday and Monday, I am pleased to announce that we have partial power restored to the Library.

Electricians have been able to restore power to the ground floor of the Library. This includes the Reader PCs, PCAS Machines and the service desk.

Work will be continuing on the electrical works for the 1st and 2nd Floors, which is hoped to be completed in the early morning (7:30-10am).

We hope for full power to be restored on Wednesday morning, but will make a further announcement tomorrow.

The Library will be open between 9am and 5pm. If lighting is restored to the higher levels, the Library may remain open until 7pm, dependent on the decision of the Librarian.

  • If the lighting remains off, then none of collections on the open shelves on the 1st and 2nd Floor will be accessible due to lack of lighting. A staff fetching service from open shelf collections will operate during this time.

You can follow us on Twitter for any further updates and if you need to speak to a member of library staff, please contact the Bodleian’s Main Enquiry Desk on 01865 (2)77162.

Many apologies for the continued disruption.

Tuesday 12 Nov: VHL open 10am-4pm with limited service

Following the leak and shut-down of electrics in the RAI and VHL yesterday and today, we continue to experience disruption to power. For Tuesday 12 November we are planning to open the library and run a limited service as follows:

  • The RAI building is open as normal but the Library will be open between 10am and 4pm only.
  • Only the study spaces in the Mezzanine Level will be accessible. Please note that the desk lamps and powersockets will not work.
  • None of collections on the open shelves on the 1st and 2nd Floor will be accessible due to lack of lighting. A staff fetching service from open shelf collections will operate during this time.
  • Book stack deliveries will resume. Orders due to have been delivered today will be made available tomorrow.
  • Wifi is working, but there will be no Library PCs and PCAS services.
  • We are not expecting our telephones to work.

We hope for full power to be restored on Wednesday but will make a further announcement tomorrow.

You can follow us on Twitter for any further updates and if you need to speak to a member of library staff, please contact the Bodleian’s Main Enquiry Desk on 01865 (2)77162.

Many apologies for the continued disruption.

Announcement: VHL Library Closed

The Vere Harmsworth Library is closed from today (Sunday 10th November, 2019) and all day Monday (11th November 2019.)
This is due to a leak which requires the electronics of the RAI Building (and therefore the VHL Library) to be shut down.
Updates on the situation will be provided via:
Queries regarding library access can be passed to the Bodleian’s Main Enquiry Desk on 01865 (2)77162.
We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.

RSL Decant 2020-21: Ground Floor Book Moves

As part of the RSL Decant to VHL Project 2020-21, titles are being moved in order to create space for RSL titles. The Vere Harmsworth Library will aim to update you about the moves as soon as possible, and to provide assistance in finding any titles you require.

The Bodleian Libraries PADS team, who are managing the book moves, will aim to do most of their work in the early morning (7am-9am), to avoid disturbing Readers as much as possible. However, please be aware that there may be some noise or disruption the library during this time.

Internal moves within the VHL Library will be updated on the Library catalogue as soon as possible. If you are having difficulty with finding any of your titles, please ask at the Library Information Desk. We apologise for any disruption or inconvenience caused to Readers at this time.

Further information on the proposed book moves and a title list of relegated journals and reference titles can be found in the RSL Decant Consultation documents on the VHL website. 

As of the 4th November, 2019, the following primary source titles have been moved on the Ground Floor:

  • Readers Guide to Periodical Literature, 1900-1969 (v.1-v. 28)
  • The Territorial Papers of the United States, 1934 (v. 1 -v. 26)
  • Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States (up to President Barack Obama, volume 1.)
  • Official Congressional Directory, 1925, 2007-9.
  • Documents on American Foreign Relations, 1938/39-1964,1970
  • Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers [FRUS], 1925-
  • Treaties and other International Acts of the United States of America, 1931- (v.1-v.8)
  • Documentary history of the First Federal Congress of the United States of America, 1972- (v.1-v.22)
  • The documentary History of Ratification of the Constitution, 1972- (v.1 -v. 29)
  • Library of Congress – Journal of the Continental Congress, 1941- (v.1 – v. 34)
  • U.S. Treaties & other International Agreements, 1950-
  • The American Oxonian, 1914-
  • British Parliamentary Papers: United States of America, 1971 (v.1 -v.10)
  • United States News, 1933-1948 (v. 8 – v. 24)
  • Journal of the Senate of the United States of America, 1964-1978, 1981

Other moves affecting the Ground Floor include:

  • The Congressional Record has been moved into the VHL Stack, and is available by request (please include details such as the Congress/Volume that you require.) Please note that the Bodleian Library also provides online access to the Congressional Record.
  • Items from the Microfilm collection have been moved to the BSF. Collections which have been moved are either collections where we have complete, stable online access, or other collections within the Bodleian Libraries. Microfilm cards can still be requested by Readers to be viewed in certain Bodleian Libraries.
  • The Reference collection has been relegated in line with Appendix C in the RSL Decant History Addendum, as part of the Consultation Process. The current collection is currently housed in the second to last island bay on the Ground Floor. Please refer to the Information Desk if you are having trouble finding any specific titles.

If you are struggling to find any specific titles, please ask at the Information Desk, or email vhl@bodleian.ox.ac.uk. For further information about the RSL Decant, email Bethan Davies, VHL Librarian at bethan.davies@bodleian.ox.ac.uk.