Currently, to use the Bodleian Library (and all accessible Bodleian Libraries), all University members and registered Bodleian Library Card Holders must book a library slot online in advance, using the Space Finder library slot booking tool on the Bodleian Libraries website. This is to control numbers to maintain social distancing and to facilitate ‘test and trace’. It is not possible to come into the library without an online booking. Bookings cannot be transferred to other readers or changed once they have been confirmed, only cancelled and another booking made.
The Spacefinder tool will display available slots, across the Bodleian Libraries or for a particular library, on a selected date, with links to make a booking. If the selected library or libraries are fully booked on a particular day, that date will be greyed-out in the calendar. If any options or reading rooms within a particular library are not listed, they are fully booked for that day.
It is possible to book up to seven days in advance where slots are available. Bookings on the day are possible, where slots are available, up to 8:00 for a morning slot, 12:00 for an afternoon slot and 15:30 for an evening slot. New slots for dates seven days hence (if a library is open on that date) go live every morning, for the Bodleian Library at 8:00. Cancelled bookings release slots back into the booking system at any time.
When a booking request is completed, a confirmation email will be sent to the email address entered on the booking form. (Please ensure this is a valid email address). A link to cancel the booking is provided in this email.
The Bodleian Library offers mostly three time slots Monday to Friday and two time slots on Saturday and Sunday. In term time these are:
Monday to Friday 10:00 -12:30, 13:00 -16:00, 16:30:00 -19:00; Saturday 10:00-12:30, 13:00 - 16:00; Sunday 11:00 - 13:30, 14:00 - 17:00
Slots for Duke Humfrey's are: Monday to Friday 10:00 - 18:30; Saturday 10:00 - 16:00; Sunday 11:00 - 17:00
Readers may book more than one time slot.
Most libraries provide a variety of types of booking. The Old Bodleian Library offers a standard desk, a height adjustable desk and a desk with a PC.
With fewer slots available and high demand, please think of other readers when making bookings and cancel them in good time (at least the day before) if you know you cannot make a slot.
If you have any queries or wish to confirm a booking that you did not receive a confirmation email for, please email reader.services@bodleian.ox.ac.uk in advance (at the weekends or in the evenings, telephone the Bodleian Enquiry Desk: 01865 277162).
Wearing of face masks: To keep staff and other library users safe we ask that you wear a face covering over your nose and mouth at all times whilst in the library, unless you are exempt under the government guidelines on the wearing of face masks. You may remove your mask briefly to drink. If you need a member of staff to remove their face covering to talk to you, please ask and we will be more than happy to help.
Social Distancing: Available desks have been reduced to maintain social distancing. They are flagged with a green tick. Readers are asked to take care to maintain social distancing when moving through the library, including on the stairs, in bathrooms (where use is limited to two readers at a time) and when communicating with Library staff.
Cleaning of desks: Throughout the library you will find cleaning stations providing anti-viral cleaning products and hand sanitizers. We kindly ask that readers clean their desk and other shared equipment upon arrival and again when leaving.
Hygiene: The library is cleaned each day before opening and cleaners are providing additional touchpoint cleaning throughout the day. We ask that readers take care to wash hands regularly for at least 20 seconds and use the hand sanitizer provided.