The Worry Box

Posted on 20 December 2024 by rachelscanlon

What is a worry box?

Photograph of the worry box. It resembles a small wooden post/mail box.

A worry box is a tool used to manage anxiety and stress by providing a place to “store” worries. The idea is to write down your worries, fears, or concerns on a piece of paper and place them inside the box, symbolically setting them aside. The activity helps people to release their worries and stresses. It can be helpful to know that the worry is gone and is aiding in the growth of something new.

Launching the worry box

Near the start of November we launched a worry box in the Wellbeing Room in the Radcliffe Science Library. Whilst eating some cake to celebrate the launch, students wrote down their worries and posted them in the worry box.

Throughout the term students and staff continued to add their worries to the box.

Two smiling female students posting worry in worry box.

Shredding the worries

In 8th week of Michaelmas Term we had a little ceremony to shred the worries. With more cake, tea and coffee, naturally.

We kept the the worries anonymous but had a lot of fun shredding them. Students gave some very positive feedback on the worry box.

This is great. I wrote a really long note and felt so much better once I posted it.
Student feedback

The shredding was then taken by Rodger Caseby from the team at the Oxford Botanic Gardens and Arboretum. The worries that people released during the term will become fertiliser helping plants in the Botanic Gardens grow. The paper chosen for the worries was specially selected to be be biodegradeable.

Rodger Caseby holding plastic bag. — Rodger bringing the shredding to the gardens.

Going forward

Photograph of hand posting worry in worry box .

Our worry box will be in the Wellbeing Room again in Hilary Term. Pop in and try releasing some of your worries.

We’ll have another shredding ceremony on Tuesday 11 March. Join us for some shredding, and more cake. More details are available in our Wellbeing Calendar.

Have a great break!

Posted on 19 December 2024 by rachelscanlon

Accessing resources from home

Term is finishing up and the break is fast approaching. We hope you have a restful and relaxing break – but if you need to get in a bit of work, we have plenty of tips on how to access the RSL and our resources.

Dog reading a book — Image from 2Photo Pots via Unsplash

While you’re away

While you’re away from Oxford, we have a wealth of online resources to enable you to continue your studies remotely.

You can access the full text of many resources via SOLO when logged in with your Single Sign-On (SSO) ID – look for the green Online access icon to find these.

If a book you need is not available as an ebook, then we may be able to purchase one – complete the book recommendation form to put in your request.

Oxford Reading Lists Online (ORLO) provides 24/7 access to reading lists from a range of devices via your Oxford Single Sign-On ID.

Ejournals

All e-journals can be found on SOLO and BrowZine. BrowZine provides access to journals licensed by the Bodleian Libraries from 2005 onwards.

Databases

All of Oxford’s databases are accessible via SOLO (filter by Databases under Resource Type) and also via Databases A-Z.

Check our Subject Guides for key subject-specific resources, including ebooks, ejournals, databases and other resources available online. We also have some great guides for researchers covering reference management, patents and tips on getting published.

Have a wonderful well earned break!

Take a break! Refresh mind and body with a word puzzle

Posted on 21 November 2024 by rachelscanlon

As part of the Radcliffe Science Library refurbishment we have an amazing range of updated portraiture throughout the library. To find out more about the scientists featured in our porrtaits check out our previous blog post.

Silhouette of a man and a woman on a rainbow coloured background. The silhoettes are filled with a crossword.

Have you seen our portraiture yet?

We encourage you to explore the library EDI portrait collection across our various spaces with our exciting new crossword. Download the RSL Portraits Crossword or find copies in the library.

Scan the QR code next to each portrait to find out more about the individuals featured.

Browse the library floor plan to find your way to the different level.

Borrow a laptop at the RSL

Posted on 14 November 2024 by rachelscanlon

We know most people have their own devices these days, but sometimes you forget your laptop, the battery is dead or it’s too heavy to lug all the way to the library.

We have you covered, just borrow one of the laptops we lend in the RSL.

Ask at the ground floor library desk and sign in with your Bodleian Libraries password. The same one you use for Bod Wifi and PCAS. Laptops can only be used in the Radcliffe Science Library.

Anyone who uses this laptop must comply with the Regulations Relating to the use of Information Technology Facilities (also known as the IT Regs or the IT Rules), just as you do using your own device.

Do you think this will be helpful? Let us know what you think.

Food for Thoughts

Posted on 21 October 2024 by rachelscanlon

DPhil Students – help us to help you! (and get a free lunch…)

Join us for a focus group session to give your thoughts on skills training for finding and using information. Your feedback will inform our future teaching and support for DPhil students.

Each focus group will last an hour and take place in-person at the Radcliffe Science Library. Participants will receive a free pizza lunch and a choice of a £25 Amazon.co.uk or Blackwell’s voucher. To be eligible, you must be a DPhil student in an MPLS Department and be in at least the 2nd year of your DPhil programme.

To register your interest in participating please fill out our online form. If you have any questions, please contact oliver.bridle@bodleian.ox.ac.uk and alessandra.vetrugno@bodleian.ox.ac.uk.

Wellbeing Welcome Lunch

Posted on 8 October 2024 by rachelscanlon

The Radcliffe Science Library (RSL) hosted a marvellous networking lunch for staff who work in the area of Wellbeing from across the University on the 1st of October. The 49 attendees came from all corners of the University including all the divisions, the Students Union and GLAM. The RSL wellbeing lead, Rachel Scanlon, organised the event to meet with other colleagues working in the area of wellbeing, support and mental health for staff and students.

While eating a tasty lunch colleagues chatted about their own wellbeing work. There were great discussions around what could improve staff wellbeing from book clubs to free food to nature walks. We were also able to highlight some of the great activities coming up in the Radcliffe Science Library all available on our Wellbeing Calendar. Many of our events are open to staff and students such as our upcoming Craft and Chat sessions, taking place on the first Tuesday of the month. Keep an eye on our calendar for upcoming events.

Attendees were also impressed with our Wellbeing Room calling it “Just what we need”, “Welcoming” and “Really lovely”. We hope to build deeper relationships with our colleagues working in wellbeing, to learn from them and share our own experiences going forward.

Celebrating Diversity in Science and Medicine – Exhibition and networking event at the Radcliffe Science Library

Posted on 26 June 2024 by thomascorrick

On April 30th, the Radcliffe Science Library hosted an EDI networking event showcasing the “Portraits of Black Female Scientists” exhibition from Cambridge Black Medical Scientific Network. Representatives from local networks, Oxford University Black Medics, OxFemTech, Women in Computing Science were also part of the highlight of the event to promote the support they offer to their peers.

A photograph of a woman looking at an exhibition focused on EDI.

A student inspects the exhibition

The “Portraits of Black Female Scientists” ignited discussions on diversity in science, knowledge sharing and follow-up collaborations.

Attendees enjoyed meeting new people and listening to the guest speakers, Laura Eghobamien, founder of the Cambridge Black Medical Scientific Network (BMSN), and James Bell, the photographer.

Laura Eghobamien networking with a guest

Those who had not visited the library since its renovation took the opportunity to have a tour and view its new inclusive portraiture.

A photo of a woman working in a lab. at a

One of the new portraits on display in the RSL

Laura Eghobamien, James Bell and the Radcliffe Science Library are interested in expanding the exhibit with portraits of black scientists at Oxford.

If you would like to learn more about the exhibit and have photographs taken, please contact BlackMedical and Scientific Network blackmedicalscientificnetwork@gmail.com or karine.barker@bodleian.ox.ac.uk

A photograph of 3 people standing in front of a display

From Left to right: Karine Barker, Laura Eghobamien, James Bell

Feedback from participants:

“It was much more powerful than I expected to see all these beautiful portraits shown together. In principle I’ve always been aware that this kind of representation is important, but such a strong demonstration of the power was really important. Inspiring”

“Thank you for the event, it was really inspiring, I made such amazing connections and got to talk about diversity in medical sciences and diversity.”

Find out more about our 3D printing services

Posted on 4 June 2024 by lhoward

Whether you’re experienced in 3D model making or just want to try out 3D printing for the first time, why not try out the RSL3D printing service? This service is only available to members of Oxford University.

What is 3D printing?

3D printing enables a three-dimensional (3D) object to be created from a model, via computer control, most commonly by creating an object layer by layer and then fusing the layers together.

3D printing allows you to “print” a 3D object out of a variety of materials, such as plastic, metal, and organic materials. In the RSL, we offer 3D printing in PLA plastic in a variety of colours or PET-G plastic in black or white. Using a process called Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM), a 3D printer deposits hot plastic on to a build plate in layers that set instantly to build up a 3D object.

What have we been 3D printing?

The technology of 3D printing offers a wide range of uses and endless possibilities. We have used 3D printing for objects from a Peruvian flute to items created for a space experiment carried out on the International Space Station (ISS).

This ISS project featured a truss assembly and outer cover for an experiment investigating ferrofluids in microgravity, incorporating a series of electromagnets. This project, created by the ISSET-Oxford payload development team and developed from high school student-proposed research projects for the ISS, ran a successful experiment on the ISS in 2022.

How do I create my own 3D object?

Do you have a project of your own that you’d like to create in 3D form? To submit a 3D printing job, send us a 3D file of your model, and we’ll print it out for you. Find out more about how to submit your 3D printing project here.

What is the cost?

Depending on the size and scale of the model, the costs vary. Once your model has been approved for printing, we will get back to you with an estimated print time and cost. We charge £2 for the first hour, and £1 for every hour after that. A typical job takes about 5 hours and so would cost £6.

We aim to print models within 10 working days, although this may vary depending on demand and the size of the print job.

Find out more about our 3D printing services, including tips, resources, FAQs and more, here.

Check out our Resource of the Month – SPIE Digital Library

Posted on 3 June 2024 by lhoward

The RSL has a huge collection of physical and electronic materials. We have so much that we wanted to shine a spotlight on some of our items, whether recently added or an existing collection item. The resources are recommended by our knowledgeable subject librarians, who are excited to show off parts of the collection for their subject.

This month’s selector is:

Alessandra Vetrugno

Lead Librarian – Physical and Applied Sciences
Subject Librarian for Chemistry, Computer Science, Earth Sciences, Engineering, Materials Science, Mathematics, Physics and Statistics.

Alessandra has selected SPIE Digital Library, available on SOLO.

Brief description

SPIE is the international society for optics and photonics, supporting the advancement of light-based research and technologies. The SPIE Digital Library provides access to the extensive collection of SPIE technical publications. It includes:

SPIE journals
SPIE conference proceedings and presentations recordings, covering photonics-driven advancements in a broad range of areas from biomedicine to defence and security
ebooks from SPIE Press from 1962 to the present

New content is regularly added, with more than 18,000 new technical papers and 25 ebooks added annually.

Who is this useful for?

This resource is particularly useful for students and researchers in Physics, Engineering Science, Computer Science, and Materials Science, and for those with an interest in the latest developments and technologies in optics and photonics.

How can I access it?

SPIE Digital Library is available through SOLO. To access it off campus use the VPN or sign in to the journal platform with your Single Sign On (SSO).

Make an appointment with your subject/outreach librarian

Posted on 20 May 2024 by lhoward

Do you have any questions about your studies? Are you keen to make the most of your research? Do you want to know more about referencing? Are you not sure where to find key information for your essays or research? Perhaps you need help with a specific database?

If you have any questions, you can book an appointment with your specialist subject or outreach librarian. They can talk with you in person, over Teams, over the phone or by email – whichever method you prefer and are most comfortable with.

Students in the Radcliffe Science Library, University of Oxford

Photo (c) John Cairns

As well as helping with your literature search and constructing search queries, subject and outreach librarians can…

Provide group or one-to-one information skills training
Discuss Open Access issues with you and help you find the relevant information for you
Show you how to access and manage research data
Source and purchase book and resource recommendations – we are particularly interested in purchasing Equality, Diversity and Inclusion titles to improve our collections
Advise and train you on reference management software and how to use different styles
Show you how to navigate subject-specific databases
And so much more…

Meet the Subject Librarians at the RSL

Karine Barker
01865 272802
karine.barker@bodleian.ox.ac.uk