Author Archives: dawnyoung

Bodleian iSkills Workshops taking place in 7th Week: Mon 8th to Fri 12th June

Posted on by
Reply
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 7th Week Trinity Term

Zotero for referencing
🗓️ Monday 8 June | 🕘 13.30-15.00 | 💻 Online Looking for an easier way to collect, manage, and cite references? In this session you’ll be introduced to Zotero — a tool that helps you organize references and add in-text citations, footnotes, and bibliographies to your documents.

Managing research data and Data Management Planning (DMPs)
🗓️ Friday 12 June | 🕘 10.00-11.30 | 💻 Online 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.

Using AI to find, analyse and share information sources
🗓️ Friday 12 June | 🕘 11.00-13.30 |📍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.

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.

Library Closure over Summer Vacation 2026

Featured

Posted on by
Reply

The library space will be closed to readers from Thursday 6 August – Sunday 11 October (inclusive) whilst our entrance area is refurbished but we will continue to offer key services:

  • A request and fetch service for SSL loanable books
  • A request service for SSL Library Use Only material to the Law Library
  • Book returns for Social Science Library and Bodleian Offsite Storage (Loanable) items
  • The Scan and Deliver service will remain available

Further information on how to place requests and return items can be found here.

The fetching and enquiry service will be available from the office near the main Manor Road Building Reception desk at the following times (except for 29-31 August when the service will be closed for the Bank Holiday weekend):

  • 9am-5pm Monday-Friday
  • 10am-4pm on Saturday

If you have any questions or concerns, do speak to a member of library staff or contact us via email.

Our library entrance area refurbishment will include:

  • A welcoming and accessible entrance
  • Two new Group Study Rooms
  • A new zone of informal study space

Here’s a sneak peek at the Architects’ drawings …

Proposed 3-D View of Library Entrance Foyer (subject to change) ©Associated Architects
Proposed 3-D View of Library Help Desk area from entrance side (subject to change) ©Associated Architects
Proposed 3-D View of Library Help Desk area from the staff side (subject to change) ©Associated Architects
Proposed 3-D View of new study space, opposite book display area (subject to change) ©Associated Architects
Proposed 3-D View of two new Group Study Rooms (subject to change) ©Associated Architects

Pride Month Book Display

Posted on by
Reply
The Pride Month book display on the shelves in the Social Science Library. Pride flags surround the books.

Happy Pride Month from the SSL! To celebrate, our latest pop-up book display showcases the cultural movements and lived experiences of LGBT+ communities throughout the world.

We’ve included a range of books, from cultural works 100 Queer Poems and David Bowie Made me Gay, to the memoirs A Dutiful Boy and Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic, and books on activism such as Inside the circle : queer culture and activism in Northwest China and We can do better than this : 35 voices on the future of LGBTQ+ rights.

You’ll find the book display around the corner from our Issue Desk. Please feel free to browse the titles, some books are for library use only and others can be borrowed (by University card holders). All have a bookmark in them to tell you which are which.

To learn more about Pride month and the events happening around Oxford, visit the Oxford Pride website: Oxford Pride UK

Introduction to FT.Com Webinar: Monday 8 June

Posted on by
Reply
An open laptop with Bodleian iSkills on the screen. Next to in on table is a cup of coffee, a phone and notepad and pen.

FT.com is the digital platform of the Financial Times, offering expert coverage of global business, economics and financial frameworks through award-winning journalism, analysis and commentary. Access is available free of charge to University of Oxford students, faculty, and researchers via the Bodleian Libraries’ institutional subscription.

This webinar, led by FT.com specialists, will provide an overview of the platform and showcase features designed to support analysis and teaching. The session will include tailored recommendations for faculty and researchers in Business and Economics, with practical guidance on using FT.com to enhance coursework, classroom discussion and independent research. This will include a review of new features and tools such as:

  • ‘Ask FT’ for AI based topic exploration and discovery
  • ‘MyFT’ for personalised content tracking
  • Curated newsletters for latest insights
  • Article annotation as a methodological aid

There will be an opportunity to discuss development of course and research content and attendees who are librarians, course convenors or staff members will be particularly welcome.

By the end of the session you will be able to:

  • Create an account with FT.Com
  • Make use of new features such as MyFT
  • Understand how AI is shaping access to the insights provided
  • maximise benefots to courses and research

This Webinar, aimed at Oxford University researchers and staff, will take place online via Teams on Monday 8 June, 2pm – 3pm.

Sign up to attend via the iSkills Workshops booking page.

Our Resource of the Month for June: The Cold War: Global Perspectives on East-West Tensions, 1945-1991

Posted on by
Reply

Each month we choose an electronic resource which we feel will be of interest to you.

An infographic of a laptop. On top of the screen and going to the right is a banner which says 'June Resource of the Month'

Our Resource of the Month for June is The Cold War: Global Perspectives on East-West Tensions, 1945-1991.

Resource Overview

During the Cold War America’s CIA ran the Foreign Broadcast Information Service (FBIS), in order to collate, transcribe and translate news sources from countries seen to be hostile to the U.S. The FBIS enabled U.S. secret agents to follow events and discussions within the Soviet Union, for example, in addition to China, North Vietnam, Iran, and North Korea. The Cold War: Global Perspectives on East-West Tensions 1945 – 1991 offers English translations of key news sources from these countries, published throughout the Cold War.

Where can you access the resource

This resource can be accessed via SOLO. A Single-Sign-On (SSO) is required to access the resource remotely, as access is restricted to Oxford University students and staff members.

Our Book of the Month for June

Posted on by
Reply

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

A red banner with the words 'June Book of the Month' on it, with a infographic of a shelf with 4 books on it.

The Wild West of Eastern Europe: A Ukrainian Guide on Breaking Free from Empire

Pavlo Kazarin, translated by Dominique Hoffman with Andriy Kononenko, with an introduction by Dominique Hoffman.

Hannover, Stuttgart: Ibidem Verlag, 2024

The front cover of the book The Wild West of Eastern Europe: A Ukrainian Guide on Breaking Free from Empire. It has a rosette on the top with the words 'SSL Book of the Month' on it.

Book Overview

Pavlo Kazarin was born and lived in Crimea until October 2014: he was one child of the many immigrants arriving in Crimea during its ‘golden age’ in the 1970s and 80s. He remembers a society that longed for this golden age to return – a society that preferred the Soviet past to a Ukrainian future. In February 2014 the Russian soldiers arrived; Crimea was officially annexed by the Russian Federation in March 2014. As Kazarin describes, Russia offered to resurrect its Imperial past. The Wild West of Eastern Europe is an account of his own conversion towards building a Ukrainian future after 2014 – as Ukraine itself came to understand its determination to defend this future.

The Wild West of Eastern Europe was published in Ukrainian in early 2022, just before the Russian full-scale invasion on February 24. By this time Kazarin had become a broadcast journalist in Kyiv: he found himself catapulted into his first live news broadcast that morning, as the Russians attacked. He joined the Ukrainian army the following day, and continues to serve as an officer. The Wild West of Eastern Europe therefore is a valuable exploration of the Russian war against Ukraine that preceded the full-scale invasion, and its consequences. Ironically one of these consequences was a growing awareness among Ukrainians of their commitment to resist Russia’s attempts to draw their country back into its Empire.

Kazarin’s account demonstrates particularly clearly the destructive power of the universal human impulse to hide from unpleasant truths. As it shows, people living in the east of Ukraine had first-hand experience of Russia’s aggressive intentions before February 2022; they were forced to confront a truth that politicians and citizens in countries further to the west had the luxury of being able to deny. As Kazarin says, “The phrase “time will tell” only applies to very large time scales. It only works when the person evaluating events has no stake in that evaluation” (p. 246). The Wild West of Eastern Europe shows that the sustained, systematic effort to uncover truth is essential to human flourishing.

Reviews

The Wild West of Eastern Europe won a BBC News Ukraine Book Award in 2022.

https://www.bbc.com/mediacentre/2022/bbc-ukraine-book-awards-2022-winners-revealed , accessed at 13.55 on 28/05/2026.

How can I access it?

You can currently find this book around the corner from our Issue Desk, above our New Books display. The book has been ordered up from Bodleian Offsite Storage for our display and is currently for library use only.

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.

Submit your Book Recommendations to us by Friday 19 June

Posted on by
Reply
A row of books with their spines facing upwards.

Are there any books you would like us to order for the library?

Friday 19 June is the last date for book recommendations this financial year.

You can recommend a book title to the SSL by:

Book ordering will begin again in the new financial year, from 1 August 2026 onwards.

Sources of help during the run up to exams and how to support your wellbeing

Posted on by
Reply
A stressed student facing their open laptop and biting a yellow pencil in frustration. A pot of coloured pencils and the corner of a notebook is on the desk beside them.

The build-up to exams can be a very stressful time. To help with this, the University has an ‘Exam Wellbeing’ webpage full of helpful tips and advice, and offers support to address any challenges you may face.

The webpage includes a range of workshops available from the University Counselling Service & supportive resources, such as Podcasts.

Want to talk to someone during this stressful period? Take a look at the University’s Welfare & Wellbeing webpage, for information on how to contact:

Try one of our Mindful Activities

A photo of the Wellbeing Corner in the SSL which show comfy chairs, a table with a half completed jigsaw on it. A sign is on the table which says Wellbeing Corner. In the background are plants and a table with colouring and puzzle books and origami supplies.

Take a break from studying in the SSL and try one of our mindful activities. In our Wellbeing Corner (located behind our computer area) you will find:

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

Feel free to remove items from this area to use in the library but please return them there after use.

Bodleian Libraries Wellbeing Events in Trinity Term

Two images from student wellbeing events, both featuring students doing craft activities with wool.

Take a look at the Bodleian Libraries Wellbeing in the Libraries webpage for other libraries offering mindful activities and wellbeing events taking place this term. This includes a chance to meet, pet and feed some alpacas on the Radcliffe Camera lawn on Wednesday 20 May, 1 – 4pm.

A group of alpacas on the Radcliffe Camera lawn.

Take regular breaks

Want to grab a coffee or get something to eat?

A view of the Glasshouse Cafe in the Manor Road Building, featuring a variety of tables and chairs and hanging plants.

The Glasshouse Cafe is located on the first floor of the Manor Road Building (directly above the library).

  • Monday – Thursday 8:00am – 5:00pm
  • Friday 8:00am – 4:30pm
A person stood using the vending machines in the Manor Road Building.

Café closed? There are vending machines located at the back of the balcony on the First Floor. There is also a microwave available for you to use there.

Water Fountain

Located behind the main building Reception desk.

A person sat reading a book on one of the picnic tables at the front of the Manor Road Building.

Picnic benches are located at the front of the building, if you wish to sit outside.

Want to eat & drink while you study?

Although food is not allowed in the library, you can bring in bottled water and also hot drinks (as long as they are in a reusable cup with a lid).

Exam Support Pop-Up Book Display

A display of titles related to Exam Support on a bookcase in the SSL.

We’ve put together a display of titles to support you during exams. From tips on how to study effectively, to advice on supporting your wellbeing. Find the display around the corner from our Issue Desk.

Take a break outside

Person stood outside on a path (with their back to us) surrounded by greenery.

There are plenty of green spaces close to the SSL for you to take a break in. Pick one of the flyers below up from around the corner from our issue desk for inspiration.

Map of green spaces close to the SSL: University Parks, Marston Cyclepath, Music Meadow, Holywell Cemetery, Botanical Gardens and Magdalene College Deer Park.

Our Resource of the Month for May: BBC Monitoring

Posted on by
Reply

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

Posted on by
Reply

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.