Introduction

Congratulations on finishing the first term of the academic year! The vacation is upon us, and it’s once again a good time for hot drinks, hunkering down, and hibernating (or, y’know, hiding at home/in a quiet corner of the library and reading).

For those of you who are new to Oxford this year, you may notice a couple of seasonal changes in library operations throughout the year. We’ll always outline them in these service updates. So kick back, get cosy, and happy reading.

Opening Hours

We’re changing back to our vacation opening hours for the duration of the winter vacation. From Monday 4th December – Friday 12th January, the English Faculty Library will be open 9am-5pm, Monday to Friday – except for the closed period (see below).

Closure Period

The English Faculty Library will be closed from Friday 22nd December – Monday 1st January (inclusive).

During this time, our phones and email inbox will not be monitored. You’re welcome to leave us email queries which we will endeavour to respond to promptly upon reopening on Tuesday 2nd January. No loans will be due for return during this period.

Vacation Loans

Books that are borrowed on or after Monday 27th November are automatically on loan for the whole vacation. These will all be due for return on Tuesday 16th January (excepting members whose cards expire before this date). Aside from this, all normal loan policies apply.

Contact Us

If you have any questions or need help with anything, our library staff will always be available during opening hours to speak with you.

You can also contact us via:

• Telephone: 01865 271050
• Email: efl-enquiries@bodleian.ox.ac.uk
• Twitter: @EFLOxford

All our details can be found on the English Faculty Library webpage.

Final Words

We know you’re all busy, but we do hope you find some time to relax a little over the holidays. Take care of yourselves – we look forward to seeing you again in the new year!

Introduction

As the sun finally comes out to herald the end of Trinity Term, congratulations to all our readers on making it through another busy exam period! We hope you all have a fun and restful summer break. We’ve also got some information to share for finalists, as well as upcoming changes that will affect long vac library service.

Finalists

Loans

If you’re completing your courses this year, please return items on loan before the end of term and prior to the expiration of your University card.

Print, Copy and Scan (PCAS)

If you’re leaving us this summer, do use up any remaining PCAS balance as it cannot be refunded. On request, credit can be transferred to another PCAS account. Please email pcas@bodleian.ox.ac.uk if you need assistance.

Becoming an Alum?

As an Oxford alum you can take advantage of a number of benefits, including free access to the Bodleian Libraries and certain eresources. Learn more at the link below!

Getting started: Alumni | Bodleian Libraries

Vacation Opening Hours

The library will move to vacation opening hours from 19th June, with a closed period of 14th-28th August inclusive. Opening hours during the vacation are:

Monday to Friday: 9:00-17:00

Vacation loans

Vacation loans for normal loans start on 12th June and 15th June for short loans.
Loans issued from these dates will be due back during the first week of Michaelmas Term, starting 9th October.

Change of Library Management System

During the summer, the Bodleian Libraries are moving to a new and improved library management system called ALMA, with a go-live date of 24th August. The project is a significant undertaking and there will be a transition period of a week, 16th August to 23rd August, where data is migrated between systems. A number of library services will be affected during this period as a result. Details are captured in the Message for our Readers notices displayed in the library’s reading rooms.

Lending Books

You will be able to borrow and return books. For one week, 16th-23rd August, online circulation will be replaced with offline circulation and the data transferred to the new system when live. The real time book availability displayed on SOLO will not be updated for these offline transactions but, on request, library staff can verify availability for readers travelling to the library for particular items. Self-issue machines will not operate between 16th-23rd August. Please note access to online resources, both on campus and remote access, will be unaffected.

Requesting books from closed stacks

Automated stack requesting from SOLO will not be available between 16th-23rd August and readers are advised to place stack requests for books and archives in advance by 15th August. Libraries will extend the due date so that nothing ordered in advance will be returned to the stacks during the cutover period. A limited staff-mediated option will be available to manage requests placed between 16th-23rd August, but readers are urged to place requests in advance where possible. If you require the use of the staff mediated stack requesting service, email book.fetch@bodleian.ox.ac.uk between 16th-23rd August.

Scan & Deliver, Print & Deliver and Inter-library Loans

These services will be unavailable from 16th-23rd August inclusive. Readers are advised to place requests by 15th August or wait until 24th August.

MySOLO

Saved searches and records in MySOLO will not migrate to the new system. Favourites can be exported until the 15th August. To export: log in to MySOLO, select ‘export’ and choose your mode of exporting (Excel, email, print, RefWorks, EndNote and Zotero). There is no way to export saved searches. Readers who use those will need to set them up again once the new system goes live – apologies for any inconvenience caused. For more information see our reference management guide.

Stay up to date with developments at the English Faculty Library by following us on Twitter. Updates affecting the Bodleian Libraries as a whole will be published on the Service updates webpage. Any questions about library services updates can be addressed to efl-enquiries@bodleian.ox.ac.uk.

Introduction

We’re creeping slowly closer to spring (though I know it might not feel like that just yet, what with the hints of snow). Well done everyone for making it to the end of Hilary Term! Make sure to take some well deserved respite over the vacation. We’ll be open for (most of) the vacation if you need anything at all from us. In the meantime, our latest updates and information can be found below.

We’re keeping it short and sweet this time – we know you’re all busy.

Vacation Opening Hours

The library will move to vacation opening hours from Monday 13th March. From this point, our opening hours will be Monday to Friday: 9:00-17:00. We will not be open on Saturdays.

Easter Closure

Please note: We will be closed for the Easter bank holidays: Friday 7th April – Monday 10th April.

Vacation Loans

Vacation loans are now in session! Anything that you borrow from now and over the vacation will be due for return in the first week of Trinity Term (which starts on the 23rd April). This means that you can crack on with your reading at home, without worrying about needing to return your books unexpectedly.

Contact Us

If you have any questions or need help with anything, our library staff will always be available during opening hours to speak with you.

You can also contact us via telephone, email, or twitter. All our details can be found on the English Faculty Library webpage.

Final Words

From all of us here at the EFL, we wish you a peaceful vacation.

Stay up to date with developments at the English Faculty Library by following us on Twitter. Updates affecting the Bodleian Libraries as a whole will be published on the Service updates webpage. Any questions about library service updates can be addressed to efl-enquiries@bodleian.ox.ac.uk.