Category Archives: RSL Decant Project 2020-21

VHL Opening Hours

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Following the recent return of the Radcliffe Science Library to their new home in Reuben College, the Vere Harmsworth Library will be returning to our pre-RSL opening hours. We will revert to our term time hours for Michaelmas Term on the 2nd October 2023. 

The opening hours from 2nd October for Term time and Vacation times will be as follows:

Term

Monday-Friday – 9am-7pm

Saturday – 10am-4pm

Sunday – 11am-5pm

Christmas and Easter Vacation

Monday-Friday – 9am-7pm

Saturday – CLOSED

Sunday – CLOSED

Long Vacation

Monday-Friday 9am-5pm

Saturday – CLOSED

Sunday – CLOSED

Please check the Vere Harmsworth Library website for updates and upcoming closure periods. 

 

RSL Decant: Planned closure of the VHL on Saturday 18th January

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The Vere Harmsworth Library will be closed on Saturday 18th January, 2020. This is to allow for unavoidable work on the Ground Floor of the Library.

As part of the RSL Decant to VHL Project 2020-21, works will need to be carried out by the ground floor entrance of the Vere Harmsworth Library. This will mainly be focused on the installation and set up of the new access control gates.

The RSL Decant Project Team and construction workers have advised the Vere Harmsworth Librarian that access into the Vere Harmsworth Library Ground Floor entrance will be blocked whilst this work is in progress. It will also be disruptive to Library services, and include a significant amount of noise and mess.

After careful consideration of the above information, and of alternative methods of entry into the Library, the Vere Harmsworth Librarian has agreed to close the Library on the 18th of January, to ensure that work can be completed as swiftly as possible.

The Library will re-open on Sunday 19th January (11 am – 5pm), subject to the completion of the works. The Librarian will aim to update Readers on the progress of the works as soon as possible.

We will aim to provide information on any further works in the Library via this blog, the Twitter (@vhllib) and Facebook (@vereharmsworthlibrary) accounts, and by email.

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. 

If you have any further questions about working in the Vere Harmsworth Library, 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.

RSL Decant: Planned works on Thursday 9th January, some disruption expected – UPDATED

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UPDATE: (15/01/2020) The enquiry desk has now been installed and set up for use. Both RSL and VHL library staff are manning the desk, ready to answer your queries, alongside RAI related enquiries. Some minor works will still be occurring at the desk area as we settle in.

PREVIOUS UPDATE (10/01/2020): Work on the enquiry desk has continued into Friday morning (10th January). The works are expected to continue for the rest of today. The temporary Enquiry Desk (located on the right as you enter the Ground Floor) will remain in use for the rest of the day.

As part of the RSL Decant to VHL Project 2020-21, works will need to be carried out by the ground floor entrance of the Vere Harmsworth Library, to install and set up the new Enquiry Desk.

The RSL Decant Project Team and construction workers will be moving and installing the new desk on the morning of Thursday, 9th January, 2020.

The Librarian has been advised that the majority of the physical moving, and noisiest part of the works, will aim to be completed by 9 am, when the Library is expected to open. By this point, the entrance to the Vere Harmsworth Library Ground Floor should be clear for readers to enter.

Work on the newly installed desk, however, would continue, including setting up electronic and internet points. Therefore, in the interim, library staff will be based on a temporary enquiry desk, which will be set up on the Ground Floor. This will allow for readers to check out books, and for staff to respond to any further enquiries.

Readers are advised that whilst the most disruptive part of the planned works will be occurring before the Library opens, there will be some noise on the Ground Floor of the Library whilst during the morning.

The newly installed desk should be completed and ready to use from the Thursday afternoon.[UPDATE: The desk has now been installed and is in use. See first Update above at the top of the page.]

The Librarian will aim to update readers on the progress of the works as soon as possible. We will aim to provide information on any further works in the Library via this blog, the Twitter (@vhllib) and Facebook (@vereharmsworthlibrary) accounts, and by email.

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. 

If you have any further questions about working in the Vere Harmsworth Library, 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.

RSL Decant: Shelf access and book moves update

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[Update 24/01/2020] Access has now been restored to the first row of book shelves on the Western side of the VHL on the 1st and 2nd Floor. Readers will be able to collect  their own books from these shelves. We thank everyone for their patience during this time]

 

Work is continuing in the Vere Harmsworth Library to prepare for the RSL Decant. This includes works on the First and Second Floor and internal book moves, which will allow for the RSL titles to be shelved on the Second Floor (see the RSL Decant Project 2020-21 for more details).

The following blogpost covers updates from 12/12/2019.

Access on western side of the 1st and 2nd Floor and Staff Collection Service [Updated 16/12/2019]

Due to works on the western side of the 1st and 2nd Floor (the sides facing Love’s Lane), the first row of book shelves immediately facing the Western sides have been covered, to protect our collections. From 16/12/2019 these books on the 1st and 2nd Floor shelves are not accessible to Readers, either to browse, or to collect titles. The VHL will be operating a staff fetching service for this area, in liaison with the contractors.

If you require books within the Call Number ranges:

AC 5 .G615 –BR 555 . M  

or

F1 – F152 .L85 1957 

 please ask at the Enquiry Desk, or email vhl@bodleian.ox.ac.uk, and our staff will collect the title for you to consult. If you are unsure if the books you wish to consult will be affected, please ask library staff.

Please note that this does not include titles on the other side of the shelf, (BR 555 . N onward or F13 onward), and the rest of the 1st and 2nd Floor titles will still be accessible to Readers.

Second Floor Book Moves – F Sequence

As part of the internal book moves, titles which are part of the F Classification, are in the process of being split across the Second and First Floor. This work will be occurring over the next few days. The VHL Librarian will update Readers once this work has been complete. Please see above regarding titles from the F Sequence which are currently only available through our staff fetching service.

If Readers require any titles from the F Sequence, or are unsure of where their book might be, please ask the Library staff at the Enquiry Desk.

Other Book Move Updates

As of 12/12/2019, the following moves are ongoing:

Basement

  • Work has started on moving Radcliffe Science Library books to the VHL Stack on Monday 9 December. A fetching service for books will be provided for RSL Readers whilst the transfer is taking place. See here for more information. 

First and Second Floor 

  • Work has started on moving Radcliffe Science Library books to the VHL Second Floor on the eastern side (facing the car park). A fetching service for books will be provided for RSL Readers whilst the transfer is taking place. See here for more information. 
  • 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 collection. Readers may notice that some titles have been moved a few shelves along, but should still be available and on the same floor, except for the F Sequence (please see above).

As of 12/12/2019, the following planned book moves have been completed:

Basement

  • New York Times and Washington Post Newspapers have been moved to the BSF for the duration of the RSL Decant.

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. They are currently housed along the row of shelves where the Congressional Record was, and on the recently installed metal shelving on the wall of the Godfrey Hodgson Study Room. 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 Microfilm guides have been moved to the recently installed metal shelving on the wall of the Godfrey Hodgson Study Room.
  • The Reference collection has been relegated in line with Appendix C in the RSL Decant History Addendum, as part of the Consultation Process. Please refer to the Information Desk if you are having trouble finding any specific titles.
  • The remaining Reference Collection is now located on the  recently installed metal shelving on the wall of the Godfrey Hodgson Study Room, and the end island cases.

First and Second Floor

  • A number of journal titles have been relegated in line with Appendix B in the RSL Decant History Addendum, as part of the Consultation Process. Please refer to the Information Desk if you are looking for specific titles.
  • The New Journal Display has been moved from the First Floor, and will be reinstalled on the Ground Floor as part of the New Books Display.
  • All Oversize titles are now located on the First Floor on the east side (the side facing the car park). 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.

If you are struggling to find any specific titles, please ask at the Information Desk, or email vhl@bodleian.ox.ac.uk. We apologise for any disruption or inconvenience caused at this time.

VHL Update: Library to reopen at 1 pm

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Following the planned closure of the Vere Harmsworth Library this morning (Monday 9th December, 2019), I am pleased to announce that the Library will reopen at 1 pm, on schedule.

As part of the RSL Decant to VHL Project 2020-21, works were carried out by the ground floor entrance of the Vere Harmsworth Library.

The following changes have been made on the Ground Floor:

  • Part of the VHL Enquiry Desk has been removed off-site, and a temporary desk has been set up.
  • Some of our services have been moved to the first island of shelves, opposite the Enquiry Desk. This includes the Reserve shelf, the Reader Comments book and stationary supplies.
  • Comfy seating area has been moved to the Ground Floor.

The morning book delivery has been cancelled, but the afternoon delivery will be still be occurring. Deliveries expected for the morning should be made available for the afternoon. Readers can return any items expected on the 9th in the afternoon. If you have any concerns about your hold requests or loans, please contact us (details below.)

We will aim to provide information on any further works in the Library via this blog, the Twitter (@vhllib) and Facebook (@vereharmsworthlibrary) accounts, and by email.

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. 

If you have any further questions about working in the Vere Harmsworth Library, 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.

RSL Decant 2020-21: Planned Library closure on morning of Monday 9th December

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The Vere Harmsworth Library will be closed, 9 am-1 pm, Monday 9th December, 2019. This is to allow for unavoidable work on the Ground Floor of the Library.

As part of the RSL Decant to VHL Project 2020-21, works will need to be carried out by the ground floor entrance of the Vere Harmsworth Library. This will include the temporary removal of the Enquiry Desk.

The RSL Decant Project Team and construction workers have advised the Vere Harmsworth Librarian that access into the Vere Harmsworth Library Ground Floor entrance cannot be maintained whilst this unavoidable work is in progress. It will also be disruptive to Library services, and include a significant amount of noise.

After careful consideration of the above information, and of alternative methods of entry into the Library, the Vere Harmsworth Librarian has agreed to close the Library for the morning of the 9th December, to ensure that work can be completed as swiftly as possible.

The Library will re-open in the afternoon at 1 pm, subject to the completion of the works. The Librarian will aim to update Readers on the progress of the works as soon as possible.

The morning book delivery has been cancelled, but the afternoon delivery will be still be occurring. Deliveries expected for the morning should be made available for the afternoon. Readers can return any items expected on the 9th in the afternoon. If you have any concerns about your hold requests or loans, please contact us (details below.)

We will aim to provide information on any further works in the Library via this blog, the Twitter (@vhllib) and Facebook (@vereharmsworthlibrary) accounts, and by email.

We apologise for any disruption or inconvenience caused to Readers at this time. Any VHL readers wishing to speak to library staff, please ring 01865 (2)77162 (Main Enquiry Desk, Bodleian).

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. 

If you have any further questions about working in the Vere Harmsworth Library, 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.

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

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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.

RSL Decant 2020-21: Ground Floor Book Moves

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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.

RSL Decant and Consultation Papers – Update

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The following information regards recent updates which have been made to the consultation papers and online feedback form deadline.

The History Addendum (pdf) has been updated to outline the latest planning, some in response to feedback already received. It also includes additional book move plans following the realisation that in fact 70% of the RSL collections will need to be on the open shelves (as opposed to 60% as originally envisaged).

As a result of this change, the consultation period has been extended to 23 October midday.

The updated Proposal and Consultation papers for the RSL Decant Project, 2020-21 are now available for you to view on the VHL webpage. They include the current plans proposed for the VHL, issues already identified, and the mitigations which will be put in place. We encourage you to view these documents before providing your feedback.

You are welcome to provide your feedback to us in person at one of our upcoming Consultation Meetings (see below) or through our online survey, which now closes on the 23rd October, midday. The survey is anonymous, and you would only need to provide details of your faculty and year of academic study.

Any issues or questions about the consultation process can be directed to Bethan Davies, Vere Harmsworth Librarian: bethan.davies@bodleian.ox.ac.uk.

RSL Decant Project 2020-21 – Proposal and Consultation Papers

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As part of the planned Parks College Development, it has been proposed that the Radcliffe Science Library’s undergraduate collection and services would be temporarily decanted to the Vere Harmsworth Library, from the period of January 2020-Summer 2021.

The proposal would provide Radcliffe Science Library (RSL) readers with study space, group study rooms, open shelf teaching collections and a service point for RSL related enquiries, during the Parks College development and the redevelopment of the RSL. This will impact on the VHL, its readers and on the RAI and its staff and fellows. Both the VHL and RAI as the foremost library and institution respectively for supporting the teaching and research activities in American studies in the UK. It is therefore very important ensure that the temporary science provision in the VHL will not harm those activities in any way.

Therefore, the Bodleian has been working, in advance of the decant, to ensure that any potential inconveniences to current users of the VHL and the RAI are identified and mitigated. This includes a consultation on these possible impacts and their amelioration with VHL staff, the Institute, the History Faculty and across the relevant academic divisions. The Consultations are a way of ensuring that our readers are able to feedback their concerns regarding the Decant Project, and consider possible ideas for the VHL’s future.

The Proposal and Consultation papers for the RSL Decant Project, 2020-21 are available for you to view on the VHL webpage. They include the current plans proposed for the VHL, issues already identified, and the mitigations which will be put in place. We encourage you to view these documents before providing your feedback.

You are welcome to provide your feedback to us in person at one of our upcoming Consultation Meetings (see below) or through our online survey, which closes on the 22nd October, 5pm. The survey is anonymous, and you would only need to provide details of your faculty and year of academic study.

Upcoming Consultation Meetings 

14 Oct. 4-5pm: Open Meeting, Lecture Theatre, Weston Library

16 Oct. 2.30-3.30pm: Townhall meeting for history students, Lecture Theatre, History Faculty

Any issues or questions about the consultation process can be directed to Bethan Davies, Vere Harmsworth Librarian: bethan.davies@bodleian.ox.ac.uk