Oxford LibGuides: Bodleian Libraries: Specialist materials

Specialist materials

This page provides information on our specialist collections. For information on our general collections of printed and electronic books and journals please see Basics and Getting Started.

Special Collections in the Weston Library

Manuscripts, archives, rare books and printed ephemera
The Weston Library provides access to a great wealth of Special Collections which support research in many different fields. Our holdings range from early papyrus manuscript fragments to modern digital archives, as well as significant collections of rare books and printed ephemera, in languages from Aramaic to English to Urdu. Academics, students and independent researchers are all welcome.
Maps (cartographic materials)
The Bodleian Map Room holds an international collection of over 1 million maps, both current and historical. Follow the link above for information about finding aids to help you find and use maps and related materials in our collection.
Music
The Bodleian Library’s Music collection is one of the largest and most important in the country. Follow the link above for information on how to locate music materials for consultation in the Weston Library. For a general overview of the history and scope of the Music collection, see the Weston's Music web site.
Book Auction Catalogues
Over the centuries, the Bodleian Library has built up a collection of book auction catalogues which are of particular interest to those working on the history of books and collections. This guide helps you to navigate the collection.

Electronic Legal Deposit

Electronic Legal Deposit
Electronic Legal Deposit items are materials that Oxford has received under Legal Deposit legislation, which entitles the Bodleian Libraries to a copy of every item published in the UK. Legal Deposit has historically only covered printed items. However, in 2003 new legislation was passed which extended Legal Deposit to electronic publications and it came into force in April 2013.

ebooks

ebooks
ebooks are an excellent way to access material remotely. This guide covers how to find, use and cite ebooks.

Images and films

Finding images
Guidance on image databases and collections.
Visual Resources Centre (based in the Department of History of Art)
The Visual Resources Centre contains over 90,000 35mm slides of art and architecture from classical antiquity to the present day; a rare collection of over 65,000 glass lantern slides from the nineteenth and early twentieth century and a number of photographic collections.
Films
Guidance on using the Bodleian Libraries collections of films.

Data and Statistics

Bodleian Data Library
The Bodleian Data Library provides advice and guidance on both finding data and statistics to support your research and managing your own research data.

Newspapers

Newspapers and other online news sources from the 17th to the 21st century

Legal Materials and Official Papers (Parliamentary, Departmental and Intergovernmental Papers)

Legal Materials
The Bodleian Law Library holds a wide range of legal materials from around the world including legislation, treaties, case law and legal texts.
Official Papers: Parliamentary, Departmental and International Intergovernmental papers
The Official Papers collection consists of: parliamentary papers and proceedings of the UK Parliament dating from the 16th century to present day; papers and proceedings of the devolved assemblies, Scottish Parliament and the Republic of Ireland; an excellent collection of departmental publications; principal collections of many international organisation, notably the Library has depository library status for the UN, ICAO and the ILO.
USA Government Publications
Guidance on US government publications held in Oxford (mostly in the Vere Harmsworth Library) and available online, both for current and historic information. Includes Legislative/Congressional Resources; Executive/Presidency Resources; Foreign Relations; Censuses/Statistics

Patents

Patents
Patents are a useful source of technical information. This guide introduces the main sources for finding patents.

These and Dissertations

Theses and Dissertations
Advice on how to find and use theses and dissertations from the University of Oxford, other UK institutions and around the world.

Contact us

Subject Specific Enquiries

If you have a subject enquiry please contact your subject librarian.

General Enquiries

Email: reader.services@bodleian.ox.ac.uk

Telephone: 01865 277162

Post: Main Enquiry Desk, Bodleian Library, Broad Street, Oxford OX1 3BG

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Bodleian Libraries: Specialist materials