The Library aims to support all readers in using the collections and study spaces available in St Hilda's Library.
Readers who have special requirements are encouraged to contact library staff directly in person or via email. We are happy to accommodate your needs wherever possible.
Readers with additional needs are entitled to a Privileged Reader Status, allowing for an extended loan period of 4 weeks with the right to borrow 25 items at any one time.
This status is applied automatically to those students registered with the University's disability advisory service, but can be offered to other students on a case by case basis.
Please feel free to come and discuss your studying needs with a full time member of staff.
Step free access to the library is possible through the main entrance to the library, off Hall Lawn.
There is a lift located within the library allowing access to the Ground Floor and Gallery.
If you have questions or would benefit from a tour of these facilities, please contact the library team.
An accessible toilet is located on the Ground Floor.
Hot drinks in Keep Cup style mugs with a lid and bottled water can be brought into the library. The nearest water fountain is located at the Lodge.
If there are medical reasons you need to bring food into the library, please make library staff aware.
The library can provide general equipment such as rulers and more specific equipment such as magnifiers, calculators and engineering drawing sets. To borrow these items please come and speak to staff at the Library Desk between 9-5pm, Monday to Friday.
Ergonomic chairs are available to use in the IT room.
We have a standing desk which anyone is welcome to use and is located in the Joan Hill Room.
A number of book stands are available for use within the library. These can be found on the shelves near the self-service machine or under the search terminals on the Ground Floor.
Reading rulers and coloured overlays can improve focus and reading speed. We have a selection which can be used in the library and are located on the shelves near the self-service machine.
The Library offers a book fetching service for students who are unable to get to the library in person. Books will normally be delivered to the student’s pigeon hole in the porters’ lodge.
Please email library@st-hildas.ox.ac.uk with details of the books you require.
Please be aware that this service operates during staffed hours only: Mon-Fri 9am-5 pm.
To find out more about what services the Bodleian offers for disabled readers, please visit bodleian.ox.ac.uk/services/disabled-readers.