Looking for a group study space? Book one of our Discussion Rooms

Posted on 11 November 2025 by dawnyoung

Looking for a space to have a discussion, engage in group work or practise a presentation?

The SSL has two Discussion Rooms that are available to book by any reader for academic purposes.

Large Discussion Room – Seats 16

An image of the Large Discussion Room in the Social Science Library.

Small Discussion Room – Seats 8

A groups of students having a conversation in the Small Discussion Room in the Social Science Library — photo (c) John Cairns

Both rooms are equipped with whiteboards and projectors. Marker pens, board rubbers and remote controls for the projectors can be borrowed from the issue desk. Power sockets are also available. Both rooms have dimmer switches, so you can choose the light level you require.

Booking a room is easy using our online room booking tool.

You can use the search options on this page to check availability and place a booking for your chosen times.

Image of a screen from the Room Bookings software that shows how to search for spaces by Date and Time.

Use the Search by Time tab to select a room and check for availability for a specific date and time.

Image of a screen from the Room Bookings software that shows how to search for spaces by type of room and capacity.

Use the Search by Space tab to select a room and browse for available times.

Fair Use Rules

You can only book with at least 1 hours’ notice
You can book up to 10 weeks in advance
You can only book rooms across the Bodleian Libraries for a maximum total of 10 hours per week

You will receive an immediate confirmation, which includes a link to cancel your booking if your plans change.

Note: Currently only University members can use the booking tool as it requires an email address ending in ox.ac.uk.

Bodleian Reader Card holders: please email ssl@bodleian.ox.ac.uk with details of your requested booking. Please include the date, start time, finish time and the number of attendees.

Are the SSL rooms already booked at the time you require?

You can use the online room bookings tool to search for availability in other nearby Bodleian Libraries:

Education Library
Law Library
Radcliffe Science Library
Taylor Institution Library
Vere Harmsworth Library

Bodleian iSkills workshops taking place in 5th Week, Michaelmas Term (10th – 14th November)

Posted on 10 November 2025 by summermainstonecotton

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 4th Week Michaelmas Term

Tuesday 11 November

Discovering archives and modern manuscripts at the Bodleian Libraries
🕘 10:00-11:30 |📍Weston Library
Explore key catalogues and finding aids for post-1800 archives and manuscripts at the Bodleian Libraries.

Open monographs
🕘 11:00-12:00 | 💻 Online
Understand the benefits and challenges of open access publishing for monographs and other longform works.

Presentation on the UN Archives Geneva platform (League of Nations Archives)
🕘 12:00-13:00 | 💻 Online
In this presentation by UN Archives staff, learn how to access the UN Archives Geneva platform and search its rich collections.

Newspapers and other online news sources from the 17th-21st centuries
🕘 14:00-15:30 | 💻 Online
Understand the value of using newspapers in your research and learn effective search techniques when consulting historical and contemporary newspapers from across the world.

Research metrics and citation analysis tools: Part 3 researcher metrics
🕘 15:00-16:00 |📍Radcliffe Science Library
Discover how to measure and understand research impact using tools such as Web of Science, Google Scholar and Scopus.

Thursday 13 November

Using Scopus for your research
🕘 13:00-14:00 | 💻 Online
Unlock the full potential of your literature review with Scopus, a vital abstract and citation database for social sciences, medical sciences, and physical and life sciences.

Friday 14 November

Zotero for referencing
🕘 13:30-16:30 |📍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.

To view a full list of this terms workshops go to the Bodleian iSkills website or take a look at the iSkills Michaelmas Term Card below. All workshops must be booked in advance via the Bodleian iSkills website.

Weston Library Exhibition – ‘John le Carré: Tradecraft’ Book Display

Posted on 10 November 2025 by dawnyoung

To tie in with the Weston Library exhibition titled, John le Carré: Tradecraft, (running until the 6th April 2026), we have created a pop-up book display.

The book display at the SSL for the John le Carré: Tradecraft exhibition. Books are dislayed on shelves alongside a poster for the exhibition.

The exhibition in the Weston Library, invites you to discover the enduring legacy of one of the greatest writers of the past century.

Tradecraft draws upon the vast archive of John le Carré, otherwise known as David Cornwell. Held at the Bodleian Libraries, this material – much of which is displayed for the first time – spans Cornwell’s entire life and career, from his time as a student at Lincoln College, Oxford, to drafts penned in his final weeks.

This exhibition offers unique insights into the working methods of the writer who shaped the modern spy novel. ‘Tradecraft’ is a word le Carré used to describe the techniques of espionage, but it might also be applied to his own skilled craft as a writer and social commentator.

Co-curated by le Carré’s collaborator and friend Professor Federico Varese and Dr Jessica Douthwaite with the support of the le Carré family, John le Carré: Tradecraft will provide a multifaceted portrait of the author’s life and creative process, featuring research, drafts, and corrections for his novels, non-fiction, and adaptations, as well as personal correspondence.

Highlights include annotated manuscripts of Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, The Constant Gardener, and The Little Drummer Girl; previously unseen family photographs; original sketches and watercolour paintings; and letters to fans and friends.

Please note: This exhibition contains references and images related to war, violence, guns and death that some visitors may find upsetting.

The book display in the SSL features seminal works by le Carré such as Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, biographies of the author and books about British spy novels.

The book display contains books from the Collections Storage Facility (CSF). The items from the CSF are for use in the library only and cannot be borrowed. You are welcome to remove books from the display to look at in the library and return them there afterwards.

There will also be a series of talks to celebrate the exhibition, which will take place both in person at the Weston Library Lecture Theatre and online via Zoom. Find out more and book your place on the John le Carré talks webpage.

You can find out more about the exhibition, and upcoming exhibitions in the Weston Library on the Visit Bodleian web page

Our Resource of the Month for November: BBC Monitoring – Summary of World Broadcasts 1939-2001

Posted on 5 November 2025 by dawnyoung

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.

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

A laptop on a table with a cup of coffee and notepad and pen next to it. On the laptop screen are the words 'BBC Monitoring: Summary of World Broadcasts 1939-2001' on it.

Jo’s choice is BBC Monitoring: Summary of World Broadcasts 1939-2001. It was chosen because it is a recently acquired primary source collection.

Overview

BBC Monitoring was founded at the start of WWII, and continues to track, translate, summarise and analyse local media sources around the world. This online archive complements our existing subscription to BBC Monitoring which provides access to current content.

Where can you access the resource

BBC Monitoring: Summary of World Broadcasts 1939-2001 is available to access via SOLO. Please note that you will need your Single-Sign On (SSO) to access this resource remotely.

Bonfire Night Book Display

Posted on 5 November 2025 by summermainstonecotton

This week (Mon 3rd Nov – Fri 6th Nov), we’re celebrating Bonfire Night at the SSL. From books on Guy Fawkes and the history of the Gunpowder Plot to texts exploring the chemistry of fireworks and the art of pyrotechnics in European history, you’ll find a wide range of books to spark your interest!

Image shows Bonfire Night book display featuring 4 shelves of books and ebooks. There are two paper firework rocket decorations stuck to either side of the display unit.

If you’re in need of a mid-term study break, you can find these books on our pop-up book display, located just around the corner from the issue desk. The books in this display are on loan to us from the Collections Storage Facility (CSF) and are for use in the library only. Please feel free to remove them from the display to browse in the library, and return them there afterwards.

Not sure where to study in the Social Science Library?

Posted on 4 November 2025 by dawnyoung

The top half of a person. One harm is folded, the other arm is raised with one finger resting on their chin. Their head is tilted to one side and their expression looks confused.

The Social Science Library offers over 400 study spaces, with a variety of seating (including ergonomic options) and desks (including height adjustable and standing desks). So whether you prefer open plan seating or an individual study desk of your own, we hope you will be able to find an area that works for you. You can choose from:

Open plan seating in the SSL. — Open Plan Seating

Partitioned seating in the SSL. — Partitioned Seating

Individual study desks in the SSL. — Individual Study Desks

Computer desks in the SSL. — Computer Desks

Quiet Study Room in the SSL. — A Quiet Study Room (low-volume conversations are permitted)

Silent Study Room in the SSL. — A Silent Study Room

Study Carrels in the SSL. — Study Carrels. The SSL has 10 soundproofed study carrels. 5 of them may sometimes be reserved (check their availability via the QR code on each door). The study carrels that are for general use operate on a first-come, first served basis.

Small Discussion Room in the SSL. — A Large and Small Discussion Room which can be booked online by Oxford University students and staff.

Information Skills Training Room in the Social Science Library. — The Information Skills Training Room which can be booked via email (conditions apply). Desks are equipped with computers. This room can be used for studying when not in use for a class or training session.

Q Step Teaching Lab in the SSL. — Q Step Teaching Lab. This room is used for teaching Quantitative Methods to undergraduate students from 1pm – 6.15pm every weekday of the teaching term (Weeks 1 – 8). Outside these hours the room is accessible to all readers

Some monitors on a desk in the SSL. — We have 30 monitors around the library that you can connect your own device to. All have a USB-C cable attached to them. If you need a HDMI cable, one can be borrowed from our Issue Desk.

The Wellbeing Corner in the SSL. — Need a break from your studies? Why not spend some time in our Wellbeing Corner, which has comfortable seating and is equipped with mindful colouring books, puzzle books and a jigsaw.

Choose the volume level you prefer

An infographic of a speaker with an X next to it. — **Silent Zone – No Conversations**

Main Seating Areas
Silent Study Room
Information Skills Training Room
Q-Step Centre Training Lab

**Quiet Zone – Brief, low volume conversations permitted**

Quiet Study Room

**Discussion Zone – Discussions, presentations, group work & conversations are permitted**

Large Discussion Room
Small Discussion Room

Bodleian iSkills workshops taking place in 4th Week, Michaelmas Term (3rd – 7th November)

Posted on 3 November 2025 by summermainstonecotton

Workshops taking place in 4th Week Michaelmas Term

Tuesday 4 November

Working with sensitive research data
🕘 14:00-16:00 | 📍Social Science Library
Learn key principles for handling sensitive or restricted research data, including confidentiality, consent, cybersecurity, and data management. The session welcomes real examples from participants and highlights the support available at Oxford

Wednesday 5 November

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.

Research metrics and citation analysis tools: Part 2 article metrics
🕘 15:00-16:00 | 📍Radcliffe Science Library
Discover how citation counting can help identify influential papers and how altmetrics provide a different perspective on research output.

Thursday 6 November

Copyright the card game
🕘 09:30-12:30 | 📍Radcliffe Science Library
This fun, interactive, games-based session will introduce the key concepts of copyright law and help you to apply them in practice.

Undergraduate critical thinking with academic sources
🕘 09:30-11:30 | 💻 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.

Systematic reviews, scoping reviews and other evidence reviews in medicine: getting started
🕘 11:00-12:00 | 💻 Online
Learn how to plan and structure literature searches for systematic, scoping, and other evidence reviews in this introductory session.

Fundamentals of open access
🕘 14:30- 16:00 | 💻 Online
Understand what open access really means — decode the jargon and explore how publishing open can benefit your research.

Find out more and book your place via the workshop titles above.

Our Book of the Month choice for November

Posted on 3 November 2025 by dawnyoung

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.

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

Democracy and the politics of silence

Mónica Brito Vieira

Pennsylvania State University Press, 2025

JC423.BRI 2025

It was chosen because the author investigates the largely overlooked role of silence in democratic politics.

Book Overview

The author challenges the long-standing tradition of political theory as constituted by speech, drawing on a wide range of sources and disciplines. She provides a nuanced, and insightful account of political and democratic life that explores the spaces for both speech and silence.

Reviews

“An audacious and curious thinker, Brito Vieira goes off the beaten track and combines exemplary scholarship with refreshing insights into the unexpected political mechanics of silence.”
Mihaela Mihai, author of Political Memory and the Aesthetics of Care: The Art of Complicity and Resistance

“This illuminating contribution to the performative and normative aspects of silence will grace the bourgeoning sphere of silence studies and be required reading for political theorists, historians, cultural sociologists, and ethicists intent on enriching their fields of scholarship.”
Michael Freeden, author of Ideology Studies: New Advances and Interpretations

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 JC423.BRI 2025.

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 3rd Week, Michaelmas Term (27th – 31st October)

Posted on 27 October 2025 by summermainstonecotton

Desk with a laptop on it displaying the text: BODLEIAN i.Skills. On the left of the laptop is a notebook and pen, on the right of the laptop is a coffee mug and saucer, alongside an iphone

Workshops taking place in 3rd Week Michaelmas Term

Tuesday 27 October

Preparing for your literature review in the social sciences
🕘 10:00-11:45 | 💻 Online
Learn how to build a successful search strategy, source highly cited papers and stay up to date with new research.

Preregistration and registered reports: What, why, and how
🕘 13:30-15:00 | 💻 Online
Gain practical experience writing an effective preregistration and learn which format and platform will work best for your research.

Managing research data and Data Management Planning (DMPs)
🕘 14:00-16:00 | 📍In person
Take control of your research data! Find out how to manage, store, and share it effectively, understand Oxford’s data policy, and make the most of the support on offer.

Wednesday 29 October

Foundations of copyright for teaching
🕘 11:00-12:30 | 💻 Online
Confused about what you can (and can’t) use in your teaching? This workshop will help you to understand different licence types and follow the CLA requirements with confidence.

Research metrics and citation analysis tools: Part 1 journal metrics
🕘 15:00-16:00 | 📍In person
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.

Find out more and book your place via the workshop titles above.

Green Libraries Week Book Display 2025

Posted on 27 October 2025 by joannasoedring

This week, Mon 27 Oct – Sun 2 Nov is Green Libraries week. We are celebrating this with a selection of books on climate change, nature and sustainable living, to inform, inspire and help you make a difference. You can find the books just around the corner from the Issue Desk.

Photo of 3 rows of books on the topics of climate change, nature and sustainable living

Many of 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.

Discover more books on these topics by searching SOLO, the library catalogue.

Find out more about the green actions taken by the Social Science Library, and how you can help.

Learn about the green initiatives of our parent body, the University’s Gardens, Libraries and Museums (GLAM).