Tag Archives: Building works

Scaffolding installation in the RAI Foyer (2nd April & 7th April 2026) UPDATE: 9.4.26 Removal completed

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UPDATE: The scaffolding has been successfully removed from the RAI Foyer. Access into the building through all three entrances (including the automated door) are available. [9.4.2026]

UPDATE: The scaffolding will be removed from the RAI Foyer on the morning of Thursday 9th April. As before, access into the building will be maintained, but the automated door will be out of use. Readers should expect some noise disturbance from the foyer during this time. [8.4.2026]

UPDATE: the scaffolding has been installed in the RAI Foyer, but the essential works have not yet been completed. The scaffolding remains in place, but access into the building is maintained, and the automated door can be used. We will continue to provide updates for when the scaffolding will be removed. [7.4.2026]

Essential works in the Rothermere American Institute (RAI) Foyer, will require the installation of scaffolding in the Foyer on the 2nd April, and removal of the scaffolding on the 7th April.

Entry into the RAI building and the Library will be maintained, but the automated door (on the far right as you approach the building entrance) will be unavailable. The revolving door and manual door on the far left will remain available. Signage will be provided outside for building users who are unable to access the building.

Access to the RAI basement level will be restricted.

The Library will remain open as per our currently advertised opening hours (9am-7pm). However, Readers should expect noise disruption whilst the scaffolding works are taking place. It is recommended that Readers sit on the western side of the Library (the side where the Group Study Rooms are located, closest to Rhodes House) and avoid the Mezzanine level. Readers may also request soft earbuds from the Library Enquiry Desk.

Please note that the library will also be closed, as previously advertised, on Friday 3rd April and Monday 6th April for the Easter Bank Holidays.

We apologise for any inconvenience caused during these works. If you have any questions about the works, or using the library during this time, please email vhl@bodleian.ox.ac.uk.

ANNOUNCEMENT: Electric works (11th-14th DEC) and ALL DAY CLOSURE (15th DEC)

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Planned essential electric works will occur throughout the RAI building (including the Vere Harmsworth Library) throughout the 11th-14th December, culminating in an all day closure on Friday 15th December 2023. Readers are advised that there will be some noise disruption throughout the week, and some reader spaces, including the 1st Floor Group Study Rooms, will be off limits.

The work will begin on Monday 11th December, and will be focused on the Ground Floor on the western side of the building (past the PCAS machine). This area from the electric cabinet onwards will be closed off to readers. Access to the PCAS machine will be maintained. The Library has been advised that there will be drilling for around half an hour, and that this noise will affect the Ground Floor level. Readers are advised to move to the upper floors to avoid disturbance.

After works on the Ground Floor are completed, the electricians will move up the building, to the 2nd and 3rd Floors. This work will be focused in the Group Study Rooms and RAI Office space (former Breakout Room). This will reduce noise disruption in the main reading rooms, but some disturbance may be expected.

Earplugs are available at the Enquiry Desk for readers if necessary.

The 1st Floor Group Study Rooms will be unavailable throughout the week of 11th-15th December. The Godfrey Hodgson Room will be available throughout the 11th-14th December. Please check the Bodleian Libraries Group Study Rooms pages for alternative spaces.

The entire RAI building, including the VHL will be closed on Friday 15th December 2023. The Library aims to re-open on Monday 18th December, subject to completion of works. Please check the VHL webpage or Twitter account for regular updates. Any change to the plan of works above will be communicated as soon as possible.

We would like to thank our readers for their patience during these essential works.

If you have any further questions about working in the Vere Harmsworth Library, please ask at the Information Desk, or email vhl@bodleian.ox.ac.uk. For further information about the planned works, email Bethan Davies, VHL Librarian at bethan.davies@bodleian.ox.ac.uk.

ANNOUNCEMENT: RAI roof works: Planned half day closure Wednesday 22nd February

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[UPDATE: The planned works for this morning were completed on schedule, and the library re-opened at 1pm. We would like to thank our readers for their patience. 22/02/2023] 

The Vere Harmsworth Library will be CLOSED for the morning of Wednesday 22nd February 2023, and will re-open at 1pm the same day. 

As part of the completion of recent essential RAI roof works, the scaffolding currently in place around the RAI building entrance and main ramp needs to be removed. Estates have informed the Vere Harmsworth Librarian that the closure is required to ensure the safe removal of scaffolding material, and will block the main entrance into the RAI building.

Once removed, the entrance to the RAI building will be accessible via the ramp or the steps, as it had been prior to the scaffolding installation.

After careful consideration of the above information, and discussions with the Rothermere American Institute regarding alternative entrances, the Vere Harmsworth Librarian has agreed to close the library on the morning of Wednesday 22nd February 2023 to ensure that essential work can be completed as swiftly and safely as possible.

The library will re-open from 1pm, for our normal advertised term hours (1pm-10pm), subject to completion of the works. The Librarian will aim to update Readers on the progress of the works as soon as possible.

We will aim to provide information on any further works in the Library via this blog, the Twitter (@vhllib) and Facebook (@vereharmsworthlibrary) accounts, and by email.

We apologise for the short notice of this closure period, and for any disruption caused by this closure.

If you have any further questions about working in the Vere Harmsworth Library, please ask at the Information Desk, or email vhl@bodleian.ox.ac.uk. For further information about the RAI roof works, email Bethan Davies, VHL Librarian at bethan.davies@bodleian.ox.ac.uk.

Ceiling works: Closure of main stairway and western alcove of mezzanine 9th-13th January

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[UPDATE: This work has now been completed and the mezzanine and stairway areas are now accessible. Many thanks to our readers for their patience. 19/01/2023] 

The main library stairway and western alcove of the mezzanine (the side furthest from the building foyer), will be CLOSED from 9th -13th January.

This is due to required works on the ceiling in these areas, which will require the installation of internal scaffolding.

The library will remain open during this week. Access to the rest of the mezzanine and upper floors will be maintained via the remaining stairways.

There will be noise disruption in the library from this required work. We recommend sitting on the upper floors and avoiding the mezzanine level. You can ask for ear plugs at the VHL Enquiry Desk.

We apologise for any inconvenience caused. You can find out more background information about the works in our previous blogposts.

If you have any further questions about working in the Vere Harmsworth Library, please ask at the Information Desk, or email vhl@bodleian.ox.ac.uk. For further information about the RAI roof works, email Bethan Davies, VHL Librarian at bethan.davies@bodleian.ox.ac.uk.

Rothermere American Institute roof works update: change in expected end date

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Vere Harmsworth Library readers will be aware of the current roof works taking place at the Rothermere American Institute (the building in which the library is located). The works began in July 2022, and have involved the installation of scaffolding around the building, and intermittent noise disruption for our readers.

Unfortunately, due to supply issues, the estimated end date for the works to be completed has now been moved to February 2023. Estates have stated that this timeframe is very much an estimate, and may be subject to change. The VHL will continue to be open for it’s previously advertised opening hours, until further notice. However, it is recommended that readers continue to monitor our blog, social media channels (@vhllib on Twitter and @vereharmsworthlibrary on Facebook) and our website for further updates on the expected roof works, and to help them in planning any potential visits to the library.

We would like to apologise to our readers for the delay, and thank them for their continued patience and understanding whilst the works are being completed. You can find out more background information about the works in our previous blogposts.

If you have any further questions about working in the Vere Harmsworth Library, please ask at the Information Desk, or email vhl@bodleian.ox.ac.uk. For further information about the RAI roof works, email Bethan Davies, VHL Librarian at bethan.davies@bodleian.ox.ac.uk.

ANNOUNCEMENT: RAI roof works: Planned half day closure this Wednesday

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The Vere Harmsworth Library will be closed for the morning of Wednesday 7th September 2022, and will re-open at 1pm the same day. This closure is separate to the previously advertised full day closure on Saturday 10th September. 

As part of the ongoing essential RAI roof works, extra scaffolding needs to be installed above the main ramp, which leads to the main building entrance. Estates have informed the Vere Harmsworth Librarian that this will block the entrance into the RAI building.

Once in place, readers can resume using the ramp to access the building, under the installed scaffolding. Entry into the building will be signposted.

After careful consideration of the above information, and discussions with the Rothermere American Institute regarding alternative entrances, the Vere Harmsworth Librarian has agreed to close the library on the morning of Wednesday 7th September, 2022, to ensure that essential work can be completed as swiftly and safely as possible.

The library will re-open from 1pm, for our normal advertised vacation hours (1pm-7pm), subject to completion of the works. The Librarian will aim to update Readers on the progress of the works as soon as possible.

We will aim to provide information on any further works in the Library via this blog, the Twitter (@vhllib) and Facebook (@vereharmsworthlibrary) accounts, and by email.

We apologise for the short notice of this closure period, and for any disruption caused by this closure.

If you have any further questions about working in the Vere Harmsworth Library, please ask at the Information Desk, or email vhl@bodleian.ox.ac.uk. For further information about the RAI roof works, email Bethan Davies, VHL Librarian at bethan.davies@bodleian.ox.ac.uk.

Planned closure for RAI roof works: Saturday 10th September

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The Vere Harmsworth Library will be closed on Saturday 10th September 2022 and will re-open the following Monday (12th September). 

As part of the ongoing essential RAI roof works, a temporary roof cover needs to be installed on the top of the building. This will involve the use of a crane, which will be located in the RAI car park area. Estates have informed the Vere Harmsworth Librarian that pedestrian access to the RAI building will not be allowed whilst the crane is on site, and access to the car park via the South Parks Road entrance will be blocked off.

Once in place, the temporary roof will allow the builders to complete their full plan of works, and access to the building can resume once the crane has been removed. The expected removal day for the crane will be either the Saturday 10th or Sunday 11th September, depending on completion of works.

After careful consideration of the above information, the Vere Harmsworth Librarian has agreed to close the library on Saturday 10th September, 2022, to ensure that essential work can be completed as swiftly and safely as possible.

The library will re-open from Monday 12th September, for our normal advertised vacation hours (9am-7pm), subject to completion of the works. The Librarian will aim to update Readers on the progress of the works as soon as possible.

We will aim to provide information on any further works in the Library via this blog, the Twitter (@vhllib) and Facebook (@vereharmsworthlibrary) accounts, and by email.

We apologise for any disruption or inconvenience caused to Readers at this time.

If you have any further questions about working in the Vere Harmsworth Library, please ask at the Information Desk, or email vhl@bodleian.ox.ac.uk. For further information about the RAI roof works, email Bethan Davies, VHL Librarian at bethan.davies@bodleian.ox.ac.uk.

VHL re-opened after half day closure (25th August 2022)

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The Vere Harmsworth Library has re-opened to readers, following the essential scaffolding installation above the RAI foyer. 

The library re-opened at 1pm on the 25th August, and will remain open until 7pm.

A sign has been set up outside the RAI building to show readers how to enter the building.

We would like to thank our readers for their patience and understanding.

We will aim to provide information on any further works in the Library via this blog, the Twitter (@vhllib) and Facebook (@vereharmsworthlibrary) accounts, and by email.

If you have any further questions about working in the Vere Harmsworth Library, please ask at the Information Desk, or email vhl@bodleian.ox.ac.uk. For further information about the RAI roof works, email Bethan Davies, VHL Librarian at bethan.davies@bodleian.ox.ac.uk.

Planned half day closure for RAI roof works: Thursday 25th August 2022 (morning)

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The Vere Harmsworth Library will be closed on the morning of Thursday 25th August 2022, with an expected re-opening time of 1pm. 

As part of the ongoing essential RAI roof works, scaffolding will need to be installed above the entrance of the RAI foyer, from which readers enter the VHL library. The construction workers and Estates have informed the Vere Harmsworth Librarian that the building entrance would need to be temporarily closed off, to allow for the scaffolding to be safely installed.

Once in place, readers can resume accessing the building via the foyer entrance, under the installed scaffolding. Entry into the building will be signposted.

After careful consideration of the above information, and of alternative methods of entry into the library, the Vere Harmsworth Librarian has agreed to close the library for the morning of Thursday 25th August, 2022, to ensure that the essential work can be completed as swiftly and safely as possible.

The library will re-open from 1pm-7pm, subject to completion of the works. The Librarian will aim to update Readers on the progress of the works as soon as possible. The afternoon book deliveries are planned to go ahead as normal, again, subject to the completion of the works.

We will aim to provide information on any further works in the Library via this blog, the Twitter (@vhllib) and Facebook (@vereharmsworthlibrary) accounts, and by email.

We apologise for any disruption or inconvenience caused to Readers at this time.

If you have any further questions about working in the Vere Harmsworth Library, please ask at the Information Desk, or email vhl@bodleian.ox.ac.uk. For further information about the RAI roof works, email Bethan Davies, VHL Librarian at bethan.davies@bodleian.ox.ac.uk.

Rothermere American Institute roof works update: Scaffolding

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[UPDATE: Please see our most recent blogpost for an update on the expected end date for the works – updated 7th December 2022]

Scaffolding required for essential remedial work to the internal structure of the Rothermere American Institute (RAI) roof, is expected to be delivered on Wednesday 20th July, 2022. Scaffolding will then be erected on the south facing side of the building (facing Mansfield College and the Princess Margaret gardens), on Friday 22nd July. 

Access into the building will be maintained and signposted throughout the project and the VHL will remain open as advertised with normal library services in operation.

Readers will experience disruption with the installation of the scaffolding. Noise levels from this work will be short term, intermittent and frequent throughout. Scaffolding on the south side of the building will mostly affect the mezzanine area, and it is recommended that readers avoid sitting in this area.

Access into the building will be maintained and signposted throughout the project and the VHL will remain open as advertised with normal library services in operation.

Please note that the VHL will continue to provide earplugs at the VHL enquiry desk.

We apologise for any inconvenience and disruption caused to our readers. We will aim to provide up to date information on expected works as soon as possible, in order to help readers to plan their research. We will continually meet with the contractors and University Estates to pass on any reader feedback, and work together to help reduce disruption whenever possible.

You can find out more background information on the roof works in our initial blogpost. 

If you have any further questions about working in the Vere Harmsworth Library, please ask at the Information Desk, or email vhl@bodleian.ox.ac.uk. For further information about the works, email Bethan Davies, VHL Librarian at bethan.davies@bodleian.ox.ac.uk.