The Central Bodleian Library: A Guide  

The Bodleian Library: http://www.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/bodley

The Bodleian Library is the central research library for the Humanities at the University of Oxford. It is one of approximately 30 libraries that form
Bodleian Libraries, Oxford University’s library service.

Founded in 1602, the Bodleian has been a Legal Deposit Library since 1610, meaning that a copy of all print material published in the UK should be deposited in the Bodleian. This has helped the Library to develop extensive and varied collections - it holds over 9 million items in its collections. The Library is a national and international centre for research, attracting scholars from across the world with its collections.

The Bodleian Library is reference-only, which means that none of its materials can be borrowed and so should always be available to readers. The only exception to this is the Personal Development Collection, a small collection of material donated to the Bodleian specifically as a lending collection. This material can be borrowed by University members. It is shelved in the Gladstone Link.

Introductory sessions on using the Bodleian are offered throughout the year, and offer help with using the Library and its resources.

For further details, and information on how to book a place, please go to: http://www.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/bodley/services/training or contact the Main Enquiry Desk on (01865) 277162.

The Bodleian Tea Room is open to Library members and staff, and is accessed via the “Schola Grammaticae et Historiae” doorway in the Old Bodleian quad. The Tea Room serves hot and cold drinks, as well as a range of sandwiches and sweet snacks. Its opening hours are:

Mon-Fri, 9.30 am - 5.30 pm, Sat, 10.30 am - 3.30 pm

Opening hours change between term and vacation, and may be different for different reading rooms. The following is the basic pattern of opening for the Central Bodleian buildings*:

Term:       Mon-Fri, 9 am - 10 pm; Sat, 10 am - 4 pm; Sun, 11 am - 5 pm
Vacation:   Mon-Fri, 9 am - 7 pm; Sat, 10 am - 4 pm

Please telephone the Main Enquiry Desk (01865 277162) or check: http://www.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/bodley/library/hours for the current opening times of the areas you wish to use.

Opening times do change, occasionally at short notice. Areas of the library may also close for University events or to facilitate building works etc, and this information can also be found on the website.

* Please note that access to the Gladstone Link reading space ceases 45 minutes before closure of the rest of the complex, and must be fully vacated 30 minutes before the closure of the complex. 

Library staff are available to assist users, either at the reading room reserve desks or at the Main Enquiry Desk. To contact the Main Enquiry Desk, email reader.services@bodleian.ox.ac.uk, or telephone (01865) 277162.

Further useful information can be found on our website: http://www.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/bodley

The Bodleian Library has embarked on an extensive and exciting programme of renovation and renewal, transforming its buildings and services in order to provide the best possible experience for library users. Working to achieve this will involve the movement of stock on an unprecedented scale, and may impact on the facilities we offer during this time.

Please check http://www.bodleian.ox.ac.uk for regular updates on building work and stock movement.