Exam Support Pop-Up Book Display

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With Trinity Term upon us, we thought it was a good idea to compile a display of useful books on how to study effectively and support your wellbeing. We have chosen a selection of texts to help across the different assessments you might be taking; from How to handle your exam nerves: study tips and healthy habits for confidence and success to The PhD viva : how to prepare for your oral examination.

The image shows the Exam Support Book Display case. The grey display unit holds 4 shelves of books on study skills, wellbeing, and poetry, along with a poster advertising the display.

Trinity term, with the build-up to exams and deadlines, can be a very hectic and stressful time for students and staff. It’s important to take time for your own wellbeing and to schedule in regular study breaks. To help with this, we have included a number of lighter reads, including poetry anthologies and tasty recipes to provide a welcome distraction!

The books featured in the display are on loan to us from the Collections Storage Facility (CSF). They are for use in the library only and cannot be borrowed. Do feel free to remove them from the display to look at in the library and then return them there afterwards.

Image depicts wellbeing corner in the Social Science Library. There are 3 blue arm chairs with pink cushions with a coffee table in front of them. On the coffee table there is a jigsaw puzzle, mindful colouring books, coloured pencils, and 3 puzzle books. In the corner there is a large plant.

Did you know that we have a Wellbeing Corner in the SSL? Located behind the reader PC area is a space where readers can take some time to relax while visiting the library. In our Wellbeing Corner you will find:

  • Mindful colouring books and colouring pencils
  • Puzzle books
  • Origami material and instructions guides and books
  • Jigsaw puzzle

Bodleian iSkills workshops taking place in 3rd Week, Trinity Term (11th– 15th May)

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Image shows a laptop displaying the text: BODLEIAN i.Skills. On the left of the laptop is a a pile of 4 books and above the books there is a clock.

Build your confidence with the Bodleian iSkills programme, a series of free workshops that empower students, researchers, and staff at the University of Oxford to develop essential skills in discovering, critically evaluating, managing, presenting and sharing information in an evolving digital and physical world.

Workshops taking place in 3rd Week Trinity Term

Tuesday 12 May

Research metrics and citation analysis tools: Part 1 journal metrics
🗓️ Tuesday 12 May | 🕘 11.00-12.00 |📍Radcliffe Science Library Learn how to locate and interpret journal level metrics and discover the strengths, limitations, and pitfalls of these metrics so you can use them responsibly

Preparing for your literature review in the social sciences
🗓️ Tuesday 12 May | 🕘 13.30-15.15 | 💻 Online Learn how to build a successful search strategy, source highly cited papers and stay up to date with new research.

Wednesday 13 May

Foundations of copyright for researchers
🗓️ Wednesday 13 May | 🕘 11.00-12.30 | 💻 Online Understand how copyright affects your research and your rights and responsibilities in an age of open scholarship.

Thursday 14 May

Discovering archives and modern manuscripts at the Bodleian Libraries 🗓️ Thursday 14 May | 🕘 11.30-13.00 |📍Weston Library Explore key catalogues and finding aids for post-1800 archives and manuscripts at the Bodleian Libraries.

Friday 15 May

Zotero for referencing
🗓️ Friday 15 May | 🕘 09.30-12.30 |📍IT Services
This session covers the main features of Zotero and comprises a 45-minute presentation followed by practical exercises at the computers. You can leave at any point once you have tried out the software.

Undergraduate critical thinking with newspaper and social media sources
🗓️ Friday 15 May | 🕘 10.00-12.00 | 💻 Online
In a world of clickbait and algorithms, critical thinking matters more than ever. This interactive workshop will help you evaluate credibility and bias in today’s news and social media.

To view a full list of this terms workshops go to the Bodleian iSkills website or take a look at the iSkills term card for Trinity 2026 below. All workshops must be booked in advance via the Bodleian iSkills website.

Green information booklet with the heading: iSkills Trinity term 2026. Features the Bodleian Library logo. The subheading reads: Free training for students, researchers and staff to become confident, capable and ethical users of information data.

Our Resource of the Month for May: BBC Monitoring

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Each month, one of our Subject Librarians chooses an electronic resource which they feel will be of interest to you.

Jo Gardner sat at a desk with a computer in the Social Science Library.

May’s Resource of the Month has been selected by Jo Gardner, Bodleian Social Science Librarian and Subject Consultant for Politics and International Relations.

An open laptop on a wooden table. On the screen are the words 'BBC Monitoring.' Next to the laptop are a cup of coffee and a notepad and pen.

Jo’s choice is BBC Monitoring. It was chosen because it is updated daily and aims to cover the world’s media accurately, impartially and with clear sourcing.

Overview

BBC Monitoring tracks, translates, summarises and analyses local media sources around the world. Its stated specialisms include: Russia, Eastern Europe, Middle East and North Africa, Sub Saharan Africa, Latin America, Asia, and Disinformation.

(A separate archive of BBC Monitoring’s Summary of World Broadcasts is published by Readex as BBC Monitoring: Summary of World Broadcasts: Essential Global Media, 1939-2001.)

Where can you access the resource

BBC Monitoring is available to access via SOLO. Please note that you will need your Single-Sign On (SSO) to access this resource remotely. Note that this resource requires you to register before use and requires you to log in with your Oxford SSO again at the homepage.

To register or log in, please select Log In and enter your Oxford college or department email address (for example, @balliol.ox.ac.uk or @history.ox.ac.uk; not just @ox.ac.uk).

Our Book of the Month choice for May

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The SSL ‘Book of the Month’ feature highlights a book in our collection that has been chosen by one of our Subject Consultants. This may be a recent addition to our stock or an existing item that we would like to share with you.

Jo Gardner selecting a book from the Social Science Library book shelves.

May’s Book of the Month has been selected by Jo Gardner, Bodleian Social Science Librarian and Subject Consultant for Politics and International Relations.

Front cover of the book 'The back sliders: why leaders undermine their own democracies' by Susan C. Stokes. On top of the cover is a infographic of a rosette with the words 'SSL Book of the Month' on it.

The back sliders: why leaders undermine their own democracies

Susan C. Stokes

Princeton University Press, 2025

JC495.STO 2025

It was chosen because the author provides a timely analysis of the erosion of democracy, especially among consolidated democracies.

Book Overview

First, the book provides an up-to-date account of erosion research, synthesising disparate theories into a clear narrative. Second, Stokes evaluates the “why now” question, identifying structural openings that make democracies vulnerable. Finally, the book offers a set of action steps to put the brakes on democratic erosion.

Reviews

“This splendid book is a model of well-argued, timely, and accessible scholarship. Stokes draws on an impressive range of methods and evidence to teach us about the economic and institutional roots of democratic backsliding, the ideas that would-be autocrats use to gain support, and the psychological bases of supporters’ responses. Her argument deserves a global audience of academics and activists alike.”
Nancy Bermeo, University of Oxford

“The most important book on the most urgent and compelling topic in political science.”
James A. Robinson, co-author of Why Nations Fail: The Origins of Power, Prosperity, and Poverty

How can I access it?

We have one lending copy of this book, which is located on our New Books Display Area (around the corner from our Issue Desk). Its shelfmark is JC495.STO 2025. We also have an eBook of the title available via SOLO. The eBook can be accessed from a Bodleian Library computer or can be used remotely, by logging on to SOLO with your SSO.

Image of an open book with the pages curled to form a love heart

What would your SSL Book of the Month be? Do you have a favourite book in our collection? If so, we would love to know what it is. Add a comment below or email us.

Bodleian iSkills workshops taking place in 2nd Week, Trinity Term (4th– 8th May)

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Image shows a laptop displaying the text: BODLEIAN i.Skills. On the left of the laptop is a a pile of 4 books and above the books there is a clock.

Build your confidence with the Bodleian iSkills programme, a series of free workshops that empower students, researchers, and staff at the University of Oxford to develop essential skills in discovering, critically evaluating, managing, presenting and sharing information in an evolving digital and physical world.

Workshops taking place in 2nd Week Trinity Term

Tuesday 5 May
Fundamentals of open access
🕘 10.00-11.30 | 💻 Online
Understand what open access really means – decode the jargon and explore how publishing open can benefit your research.

Scholarly literature for your research
🕘 14.00-16.00 | 💻 Online Learn how to create an effective search query and to explore a range of tools to search for scholarly materials to support your research.

Science communication: An introduction to translating your research for a non-specialist audience
🕘 14.00-15.00 | 💻 Online This session introduces the essentials of science communication and explores how to make your research accessible and engaging for different audiences

Wednesday 6 May

Undergraduate critical thinking with academic sources
🕘 13.30-15.30 | 💻 Online
Enhance your critical thinking and research skills in this practical workshop. Learn to question assumptions, analyse sources, and develop effective search strategies to excel in your studies.

Thursday 7 May

Introduction to online resources for historians: show and tell
🕘 14.00-16.00 | 💻 Online
Discover a wealth of online resources for all periods of British and Western European history.

Friday 8 May

EndNote for referencing
🕘 09.30-12.30 |📍IT Services
This session covers the main features of EndNote and comprises a presentation followed by practical exercises at the computers. You can leave at any point once you have tried out the software.

Using AI to find, analyse and share information sources
🕘 10.00-12.30 |📍IT Services
Designed for those new to AI, this practical session will allow you to independently experiment with three GenAI tools and participate in group discussions to explore their strengths and limitations.

Getting started in Oxford libraries
🕘 13.00-14.00 | 💻 Online
New to Oxford or need a refresher on using the Bodleian libraries? Join this session to learn how to access the library network and use their services and resources.

Green information booklet with the heading: iSkills Trinity term 2026. Features the Bodleian Library logo. The subheading reads: Free training for students, researchers and staff to become confident, capable and ethical users of information data.

One wrong item can contaminate recycling – if in doubt, find out!

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A barn owl staring at the viewer with the caption 'Make good choices'.

We’re all sometimes guilty of ‘wishcycling’ –putting waste in recycling bins just in case it can be recycled. But one wrong item can contaminate recycling. This week at the SSL, we’re asking one of life’s big questions: can you recycle it?

We’ve made a list below of some of the biggest culprits that manage to sneak their way into Manor Road recycling bins.

Disposable coffee cups

Unless there is a specific bin for paper cup recycling, these cups can’t be recycled. Put empty coffee cups in general waste bins (but make sure they’re empty first!).

Reduce waste by using a reusable coffee cup instead. Plus you can get discounts at many cafes and coffee shops. For instance, The Glasshouse Café in the Manor Road Building offers a discount on drinks purchased in reusable cups.

Tissues and paper towels

Another no. Whereas paper can be recycled, tissues and paper towels should be placed in general   waste. They’re generally made of low-quality materials and have often been recycled multiple times already. They can also be wet and contaminated.

Sweet wrappers

Plastic/metallic sweet wrappers can’t be recycled in mixed recycling bins, although some supermarkets will accept clean soft plastics for recycling. Don’t forget that the SSL, like other Bodleian Libraries, has a no food and drink policy (except for bottled water and drinks in reusable cups with a lid) so please eat your sweet treats outside.

Fruit peel

Take fruit peel home and put it in your food recycling bin, or use it for your compost. Otherwise, please put it in the general waste bin.

Plastic packaging

Whether you can recycle plastic packaging depends on what type of plastic it is. On most items the type of plastic can be identified with a number code. Plastics 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6 can be placed in recycling bins (if clean and dry). 4 and 7 should go in general waste.

Check out the University’s A-Z of recycling for further information: https://sustainability.admin.ox.ac.uk/a-z-of-recycling#collapse957361

Bodleian iSkills workshops taking place in 1st Week, Trinity Term (27th – 1st May)

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Image shows a laptop displaying the text: BODLEIAN i.Skills. On the left of the laptop is a a pile of 4 books and above the books there is a clock.

Build your confidence with the Bodleian iSkills programme, a series of free workshops that empower students, researchers, and staff at the University of Oxford to develop essential skills in discovering, critically evaluating, managing, presenting and sharing information in an evolving digital and physical world.

Workshops taking place in 1st Week Trinity Term

Friday 1 May
Choosing and using software for referencing
🕘 09:30-12:30 |📍IT Services
Following a 30-minute presentation on reference management tools, you will have the opportunity to try out EndNote, Mendeley, RefWorks and Zotero. As you explore which tool works best for you, library staff will be on hand to guide you and to answer any questions you may have. You can leave at any point once you have tried out the tools you want, and do not have to stay until the end.

Green information booklet with the heading: iSkills Trinity term 2026. Features the Bodleian Library logo. The subheading reads: Free training for students, researchers and staff to become confident, capable and ethical users of information data.

Trial Access: Mass Observation Project, 1981-2019

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Home page of 'Mass Observation Project 1981-2019' Image © 2026 Adam Matthew Digital Limited
Image © 2026 Adam Matthew Digital Limited

We are pleased to invite Oxford researchers to trial Mass Observation Project, 1981-2019.

This major resource provides digital access to a remarkable life-writing archive, offering a rare window into the everyday lives, thoughts and emotions of ordinary people living through the turbulent final decades of the twentieth century and the early twenty-first. More on the HFL Blog post.

Please note that during the trial, the downloading function has been disabled.

The trial ends 8 May 2026.

Feedback should be sent to isabel.holowaty@bodleian.ox.ac.uk or jo.gardner@bodleian.ox.ac.uk.

While at this stage there is no identifiable funding, your feedback is nonetheless helpful to inform priority purchases should funds become available in the future. Thank you!

Bodleian iSkills: Free training workshops for Oxford University students, researchers and staff

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Build your confidence with the Bodleian iSkills programme, a series of free workshops that empower students, researchers, and staff at the University of Oxford to develop essential skills in discovering, critically evaluating, managing, presenting and sharing information in an evolving digital and physical world.

Some of the workshops are in person and some online via Teams.

To view a full list of this terms workshops go to the Bodleian iSkills website or take a look at the iSkills Trinity Term Card below (or pick up a flyer in our library).

All workshops must be booked in advance via the Bodleian iSkills website. You will need an Oxford Single Sign-On (SSO) to book a course.

If you are a Bodleian Reader card holder and wish to attend a session, please contact usered@bodleian.ox.ac.uk