This summer, the University of Oxford’s libraries are upgrading to a new library system. From Wednesday 16 August – Wednesday 23 August (inclusive), we will be running a reduced service while this essential work takes place.
We apologise for any inconvenience the upgrade work may cause. Our new library system will go live on 24 August, when normal services will restart.
Access to resources
During the period 16 – 23 August:
- The self-issue machine in the Sainsbury Library will be out of action. If you wish to borrow or return a book, please speak to a member of library staff or complete a book borrowing slip and place it in the book return box. It is essential that you bring your University Card with you, as books cannot be issued without your barcode number.
- You can access the library catalogue SOLO, but you will not be able to log into your SOLO account (My SOLO).
- Information on SOLO will be frozen until the update work is complete, including information about item availability. If you are travelling to a library for a particular item, contact library staff or email services@bodleian.ox.ac.uk to check that it is available for you to use.
- Your access to e-resources will not be affected, both on campus and via remote access.
Unavailable services
From 16 – 23 August, the following services will not be available:
- Scan & Deliver
- Ordering items from offsite storage through SOLO
- Inter-library requests (unavailable from 5pm on Friday 11 August – Wednesday 23 August inclusive)
Please place any Scan & Deliver requests, inter-library requests or requests for items from offsite storage by 5pm on Friday 11 August to guarantee processing.
Changes to SOLO data from 16 August
As part of the library system upgrade, some SOLO data will not be carried over to the new system. This includes SOLO favourites, saved searches and loan history. If you’d like to keep your SOLO favourites, you must export them by Wednesday 16 August. To find out how to save your SOLO data, visit our SOLO guide or email reader.services@bodleian.ox.ac.uk.
New rules for borrowing from 24 August
On 24 August, the Bodleian Libraries will be introducing new, simplified rules for borrowing across all our libraries. Find out more about the upcoming changes.
More information
For more details and updates on library services during the essential upgrade work, visit the Bodleian Libraries website.