Author Archives: joannasoedring

Weston Library Exhibition – ‘Wonder of Birds’ Book Display

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Display of 18 books about birds with colourful covers. Topics include birdsong, nests, identification and migration.

To tie in with the Weston Library exhibition, Wonder of Birds (running until 3rd January 2027), we have created a pop-up book display located in the Social Science Library (SSL).

Inspired by The Book of Birds by Jackie Morris and Robert Macfarlane, Wonder of Birds celebrates the splendour of the birds around us at the same time as recognising the steep decline in bird populations across our skies in recent decades.

Following the ‘Seven Wonders’ of birds – nest, egg, beak, song, feather, flight, migration – the exhibition pairs the words and art from The Book of Birds with Oxford ornithological research and Bodleian collections to explore the beauty and mystery of these extraordinary creatures.

Exhibition highlights include John Gould’s Birds of Great Britain and John James Audubon’s Birds of America.

The book display in the SSL covers birdwatching, bird identification, nests, eggs, song and migration. You will find beautiful illustrations in many of the books.

The books are from the Bodleian Libraries’ Offsite Storage. They 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.

You can find out more about this and upcoming exhibitions in the Weston Library on the Visit Bodleian website.

Opening Hours Changes: Summer Vacation

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Photo of a white alarm clock and white mug and saucer in dappled light

On Sunday 28 June our Summer Vacation opening hours begin.

See our website homepage for further information.

Please note that the Social Science Library entrance area will be fully refurbished over the Summer Vacation. The library will be closed to readers during August and September 2026, but we will offer book fetching, Scan & Deliver and other key services. See our previous blog post for more information.

Celebrating the Summer Book Display

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Three rows of books on the topic of summer activities, including travel, food, camping, walking and wild swimming.

Take a look at our new Summer Book Display for inspiration on making the most of the great outdoors this summer. Boost your wellbeing by spending time in nature and exploring new places. Topics covered include walking, travel, camping, wild swimming, summer crafts and seasonal vegetarian and vegan cooking. Here is a small sample of the titles available:

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. The book display can be found around the corner from the Issue Desk in the Social Science Library.

Fairtrade Book Display

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Photo of a display of 24 books on the topic of Fairtrade.

This week marks the launch of our new Fairtrade Book Display. In support of the University’s ambitious sustainability goals many departments are scrutinising their resource use and supply chains in pursuit of lowering carbon footprints and energy demand. Beyond just analysing these metrics, achieving sustainability also means considering the impact of resources we use on the places and people we import them from. The Fairtrade movement aims to address the economic impacts, attempting to foster fairer prices, safer working conditions, and other benefits for producers and farmers. Similar movements include the Rainforest Alliance, ETP (formerly Ethical Tea Partnership), and the Soil Association which each have their own focuses on nurturing sustainability across the world’s supply chains.

Image of the cover of the book titled "The Fairtrade everyday cookbook" with a photo of a slice of moist chocolate cake on a brown plate with a fork. the book has the Fairtrade logo in the top right corner and mentions that the consultant Editor is Sophie Grigson.

Many of the books we have chosen feature recognisable everyday Fairtrade mascots such as bananas and coffee, but we have also chosen books featuring less-obvious resources that the Fairtrade movement is concerned with like gold and diamonds.

Some books featured in the display are loanable books from the SSL’s own collection and can be borrowed as usual. Others 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. Each book has its own bookmark indicating whether it can be borrowed or not.

Green Action Week Book Display

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A collage of colourful book covers with the titles 'Climate change: what everyone needs to know', '123 seriously smart things you need to know about the climate', 'Mend it, wear it. love it!', '365 ways to save the planet', 'Living plantfully', 'Wilding' 'The hidden world', 'How to repair everything' and 'How bad are bananas?

To celebrate Oxford University’s Green Action Week from 23-27 February 2026 we have put together a display of books covering climate change, nature and sustainable living. You can find the book display around the corner from the Issue Desk and it will be in place until 8 March.

Some of the books are from the SSL’s collection and can be borrowed. Most of them 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.

If you can’t make it to the library the books on display are listed here:

Climate change

Sustainable living

Nature

Oxford Green Action Week: our top tips

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Oxford Green Action Week runs from 23-27 February this year. We have put together the following top five eco-friendly tips for library readers:

Experiment with plant-based eating

Food accounts for 25% of greenhouse gas emissions with beef, lamb and dairy having the highest carbon footprint. Why not try a vegetarian or vegan lunch from the Glasshouse Café on the first floor of the Manor Road Building? (But please don’t bring any food into the library!)

Recycle right

Avoid wishcycling – check the notices above our waste and recycling bins to see what we can and can’t recycle. Coffee cups, tissues and sweet wrappers belong in the General Waste bin. If in doubt put things in the General Waste bin to avoid contaminating the recycling –  this can lead to the whole load going to incineration.

Remember your reusable bottle and cup

Globally we go through 1.2 million single-use plastic bottles a minute.  Commit to packing your reusable bottle in your bag every day. You can fill your bottle from the water dispenser in the Locker Room. Get a 30p discount on hot drinks if you use your refillable cup in the Glasshouse Café.

Turn off your tech

Did you know that standby power generates 1% of the world’s carbon emissions? Help reduce this by turning off your tech when you’re not using it.

Read up

Take a look at our display of books on climate change, nature and sustainability for more ideas and inspiration. You’ll find the display just around the corner from the issue desk.

Find out more

Check our Sustainability webpage to find out what actions we are taking to green the SSL and how you can help.

Take part in the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch 2026

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The SSL supports the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch which will be taking place from Friday 23 to Sunday 25 January 2026.

Join the world’s largest garden wildlife survey and help build a picture of how UK garden birds are faring.

To take part, follow the simple steps below:

Images and text describing how to take part in the Big Garden Birdwatch

To find out more go to the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch homepage.

To help you brush up on your bird spotting skills and learn how to encourage birds into your garden, we’ve created a book display. Find the display just around the corner from our issue desk.

Feel free to take a book and read it in the library but please return to the display after use.

Green Libraries Week Book Display 2025

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Image of an open book coloured green with white stripes and the text 'Green Libraries Week'

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).

Green Action Week Book Display

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Image showing 9 book covers about climate change and tips for a greener lifestyle

To celebrate Oxford University’s Green Action Week from 10 – 14 February 2025 we have put together a display of books covering climate change and actions for a greener lifestyle. You can find the book display around the corner from the Issue Desk. The display is accessible during library opening hours and the library address is here. Anyone with a University Card or Bodleian Libraries Reader card can access the library.

Discover more books on climate change by searching SOLO, the library catalogue, or browsing the Social Science Library shelves at GE149, QC981.8, QC903.

Green Action Week aims to foster environmental improvements in all parts of the University through networking and exchanging ideas. This year, special emphasis is being placed on the ‘actions’ that can drive better practices and behaviour change to help lead to tangible results.  See the full programme of events and activities here.

If you can’t make it to the library the books on display are listed below:

Climate Change books

Tips for greener living