Category Archives: Library Space

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

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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

Not sure where to study in the Social Science Library?

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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