A-Z of college libraries  

Most college libraries offer collections and services tailored to the needs of members of their respective colleges, typically offering long opening hours and generous lending. While most do not normally admit non-members, there are a few exceptions: some graduate college libraries with special subject strengths, such as Nuffield and All Souls, do admit some categories of non-members; Harris Manchester also has an atypical remit. Many college libraries also have historic or specialised research collections. These may be consulted by external readers by making an appointment with the librarian. Readers are therefore advised to consult the relevant web pages for details of admission policies.

Should a college library hold something that is genuinely not available in the University's libraries, then it will normally admit external readers who are not members of its college. Such admittance is only by prior arrangement with the college librarian. Contact should be made in advance by letter, e-mail, or telephone; if readers "just turn up" they are unlikely to be admitted.

Use of material by external readers is strictly on a reference basis, and borrowing will not be allowed. If copies of the item are held in a University, faculty or departmental library, readers should seek it there.

Enquirers should search all relevant catalogues to ensure the items they require really are unique to that college; college librarians often find supposedly unique holdings of theirs (particularly pre-20th century material) are in reality duplicated many times over in the Bodleian Libraries' collections.

Committee of College Librarians, April 2006

The Oxford Archivists' Consortium provides a guide to Oxford college archives.