Category Archives: Accessibility

You said, we did

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You said, we did!

The RSL team have been working hard to gather your feedback on the newly reopened library. You may have left a suggested on the feedback whiteboard, or maybe you had a chat with one of us. We received an eclectic range of suggestions and we took it all on board and are pleased to show you some of the cool new stuff you asked for!

(To those who requested it: Sorry, we won’t be getting an RSL cat any time soon…)

Vending machines!

Our new vending machines offer snacks, cold drinks, and hot drinks

There are now two vending machines in the vending area. Here you can purchase a variety of snacks as well as cold and hot drinks. Cards and cash are accepted.

Lids for drinks!

If you’re purchasing a drink from one of the vending machines, please help yourself to a lid from the counter.

Lids can be found on the kitchenette counter

Remember:

  • Drinking water and drinks contained in a KeepCup or another container with a sealable lid are allowed throughout the RSL. Other food and drinks are not allowed in the reading rooms or on the stairs. Cold food and drinks in sealed cups are allowed in certain spaces; please check the signage.

More seating!

We’re still figuring out some aspects of the new layout, but we’ve found the space to bring in more seating.

Extra tables can be found in the social study space and reading rooms

Laptop stands!

We’ve purchased height adjustable laptop stands for all reading rooms.

Feel free to grab a laptop stand and get settled in

Sanitary products!

There’s now free tampons and pads in all RSL bathrooms for those moments when you need them. Let a member of staff know if we’ve run out or are getting low.

A range of pads and tampons are available in all RSL toilets

Wellbeing goodies!

If you’ve been to the wellbeing room recently (situated on the lower floor, floorplan here) you might have noticed an increase in activities on offer: We’ve added in more of the things you have asked for: markers, chess set, uno, and even more paper for origami.

Think you can do better? Give it a go!

Don’t forget to pop into one of our Lego lunches which run in the Wellbeing Room 1300-1400 on Wednesdays.

We’re continually looking to improve the RSL, so please do drop us a line if you have any comments or suggestions: enquiries.rsl@bodleian.ox.ac.uk

Group Study Spaces in the RSL

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Do you work better with others? Have a group project deadline looming? Need access to an AV suite?

The RSL has 5 group study rooms and a seminar room available for any reader to book for academic purposes!

You can book a room here.

Group Study Rooms

Photograph of a group study room featuring a desk surrounded by chairs and shelving, along with a monitor attached to the wall.

Group Study Room second floor reading room

Two of our rooms are equipped with screens, cameras, and microphones and all group study rooms have whiteboards. There is step free free access to all rooms and height adjustable furniture is available in selected rooms.

Group study room with Teams functionality

The booking page gives you a full breakdown of which facilities are available in each room.

Seminar Room

For Trinity Term the Seminar Room can be booked by groups from 9am to 11am. At other times it will be available as a drop in study space.

Seminar Room in meeting layout

You can book a room here.

You asked for more space so we’re providing it!

 

Accessible lift out of order

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Accessible lift out of order

The accessible lift in the Radcliffe Science Library (RSL) is currently out of order. This means there is no level-access to the lower-ground floor and the Quiet Reading Room.

The small lift, which gives access to the Informal Reading Room and Group Study Rooms 2, 3 and 4, can accommodate smaller wheelchairs. For questions on accessing the library contact marija.babic@bodleian.ox.ac.uk

We apologise for the inconvenience and are working to fix this as a matter of urgency.

The Weston Library, the Social Science Library, and the Vere Harmsworth Library all have level access and bookable group study rooms.

Sign that says out of order

Equipment to borrow at the RSL

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Forgotten something? If you’ve left your charger or headphones at home, the RSL has you covered!

Photograph of a person holding a laptop and mobile phone

Credit: Maxim Ilyahov, Unsplash

We offer a surprisingly large range of equipment to use in the library: from HDMI cables and plug adapters to book snakes and book rests. You can also grab back supports and footrests too.

Head to the Library Desk to borrow items.

We stock a range of computer equipment and peripherals:

  • Adapters for screens
  • Laptop lock
  • Adjustable laptop stand
  • Mouse
  • laptop power station
  • USB memory stick

    Photoraph showing laptop stand, power bank, headphones, and book rest displayed on a shelf.

    You can borrow headphones, laptop and book stands, powerbanks and more from the Library Desk

 

All sorts of cables and adapters:

  • Plug adapter (European, American, Japanese)
  • C-type charging cable
  • USB Type-C to HDMI adapter – For hooking macs up to study room screens
  • Micro USB cable
  • iPhone charging cable
  • HDMI cable laptop to screen

These items can be borrowed from the Library Desk.

Close up photograph of an HDMi cable

Credit: Srattha Nualsate

As well as:

  • SONY headphones
  • Magnifying glass
  • Foam book rests
  • Book snakes
  • Bookstands
  • Brightsign remote control (for use with study room screens)

Back supports and foot rests can be found in baskets in front ot the Library Desk.

Two photographs of footrests and back supports in baskets

Footrests and back supports can be found in front of the Library Desk

We hope you find this equipment useful!

Let us know if you think we’re missing anything or if you’ve any feedback: enquiries.rsl@bodleian.ox.ac.uk

Height adjustable desks

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The RSL collection and staff are in the VHL for another few months before we move back into the RSL after the refurbishment is finished. You can check out our blog for updates on how the refurbishment is going. Luckily the VHL has great facilities including Height Adjustable Desks.

Photograph of two height adjustable desks

There are two desks in the library, one with a chair and one without. Both are electronic and fully adjustable so they can be raised to standing desk height or lowered to suit someone in a wheelchair, or someone who needs to sit lower than the other desks.

Photograph of two height adjustable desksThere is no booking required, you can just come in and use them if they are free.