Bodleian Humanities Library
LightNews LightNews
banner
bodhumslib.bsky.social
Bodleian Humanities Library
@bodhumslib.bsky.social
270 followers 130 following 40 posts

The Bodleian Humanities Library, part of @bodleianlibraries, covering English, Music, Philosophy, Theology, Film Studies, History of Medicine, and Internet Studies

Videos

The Bodleian Library is the main research library of the University of Oxford. Founded in 1602 by Sir Thomas Bodley, it is one of the oldest libraries in Europe. With over 13 million printed items, it is the second-largest library in Britain after the British Library. Under the Legal Deposit Libraries Act 2003, it is one of six legal deposit libraries for works published in the United Kingdom, and under Irish law it is entitled to request a copy of each book published in the Republic of Ireland. Known to Oxford scholars as "Bodley" or "the Bod", it operates principally as a reference library and, in general, documents may not be removed from the reading rooms. .. more

History 46%
Philosophy 19%
Posts Replies Media Videos
Pinned
bodhumslib.bsky.social
Bodleian Humanities Library @bodhumslib.bsky.social · Oct 1
We've been delighted that so many of you have come to see the new library! If you haven't had a chance to make it yet, here's a little sneak peek of our new library for you ✨📚✨
A photograph of the entrance to the Bodleian Humanities Library. The entrance is a wood-pannelled interior door with chairs arranged outside A photograph of a central chamber in the Bodleian Humanities Library. There is soft lighting, wooden panelling, and chairs and tables. A photograph of the second floor reading room in the Bodleian Humanities Library: you can see an array of seating, tables, and a view of a nearby college

bodhumslib.bsky.social
Bodleian Humanities Library @bodhumslib.bsky.social · 13h
It's time to destress and relax 🧘

Did you know we have 8 little wooden puzzles for readers to do on their study breaks? Complete with cute tins, quirky cut-outs, and wooden puzzle boards to lean on!

Each puzzle is small enough to complete as a break in your study schedule ☕🧩😌
A photograph of a completed puzzle resting on a puzzle board. A round tin in which the puzzle can be kept is seen in the background.

bodhumslib.bsky.social
Bodleian Humanities Library @bodhumslib.bsky.social · 1d
Struggling to find books? Good news! By popular demand, there are now collections maps available for the Humanities Library! #YouSaidWeDid

Simply look up a book on SOLO, find the shelf mark, and use this to navigate by zones on the map! Maps are kept at the library help desk. Happy navigating! 🧭
A photograph of three collections maps laid out on the library help desk.

bodhumslib.bsky.social
Bodleian Humanities Library @bodhumslib.bsky.social · 2d
H is for Help Desk! #HumanitiesLibraryA-Z

Our help desk is available by the main library entrance, and is staffed from 9am-9pm.

🔖 We have maps, informational leaflets, and bookmarks
📖 We want your loans, returns, and questions
🆘 We're here to help!

Stop by and say hello! 👋
A photograph of the library help desk, staffed by two smiling members of staff. They are surrounded by helpful informational materials, such as maps, leaflets, and posters. There is also a Shakespeare-themed rubber duck sat on the desk.

bodhumslib.bsky.social
Bodleian Humanities Library @bodhumslib.bsky.social · 6d
📢 Calling all English students with upcoming dissertations 📢

Unsure where to start with your research? Come along to our training sessions!

When & where: 25th November (Digital Study Room)
28th November (Digital Study Room)

To book, email [email protected]
Poster advertising the 'Researching your dissertation' session. The text says 'This session is designed to help English students with research for their dissertation. It will include advice for developing a search strategy, a brief introduction to reference management software, and where to find online resources that will help you identify relevant material. [They will take place on] Tuesday 25th November 14:00-15:00 [and] Friday 28th November 11:00-12:00. Venue: Digital Study Room, Bodleian Humanities Library. To book a place, please email humlib@bodleian.ox.ac.uk. Tell us which session you'd like to attend, and any relevatn accessibility requirements you have.

bodhumslib.bsky.social
Bodleian Humanities Library @bodhumslib.bsky.social · 7d
It’s #WorldPhilosophyDay!

Why don't you celebrate by picking up a new-to-you philosophy text for the weekend? We're now adding subject information to our signage — browsing has never been easier. 💭
A photo of shelf-end signage in the Bodleian Humanities Libary. The signs start with aisle number, then the Library of Congress shelfmark range, and now have descriptions of the topics covered in that aisle on the bottom e.g. 'French philosopgy (e.g. Descartes)' A photo of a shelf of philosophy books in the Bodleian Humanites Library. One, 'The Oxford Handbook of Hegel', has been turned to have its cover facing outwards. The cover has a colourful painting, in simple lines, of people crossing a shopping street.

bodhumslib.bsky.social
Bodleian Humanities Library @bodhumslib.bsky.social · 9d
G is for Graduate Spaces! #HumanitiesLibraryA-Z

Graduate student wanting a bit more privacy? We’ve got four rooms just for you – two reading rooms for general study, and two bookable discussion rooms! Use your card to get in, and ask a librarian if you can’t find them. 📚
Photo showing the 1st floor Graduate Reading Room. It is well-lit with plentiful windows. There is a mix of individual study carrels and shared wooden desks available.

bodhumslib.bsky.social
Bodleian Humanities Library @bodhumslib.bsky.social · 13d
Umbrellas abound at the Humanities Library on this stormy afternoon! 🌧️☔

Wishing you all a wonderful (and hopefully dry) weekend when it comes around!
A picture of our very full umbrella stand! Surrounding it are numerous other compact umbrellas on the floor.

bodhumslib.bsky.social
Bodleian Humanities Library @bodhumslib.bsky.social · 14d
📢 Calling all first year English students 📢

Need help finding resources for Prelims Paper 2? Then don't miss our training sessions!

When & where: 19th November (Digital Study Room)
20th November (online via Teams)

To book, email [email protected]
A poster outlining our upcoming training sessions for English Prelims Paper 2. It reads: 'Explore set texts, critical works, reference works, translations, and cultural and contextual information. Follow along with live demonstrations and try out resources. Wednesday, Week 6 (19th November) 11:00-12:00 – In person, in the Digital Study Room (places limited). Thursday, Week 6 (20th November) 11:00-12:00 – Online, via Teams. To book a place, please email humlib@bodleian.ox.ac.uk – let us know which session you’d like to attend, and any relevant accessibility requirements you have.

bodhumslib.bsky.social
Bodleian Humanities Library @bodhumslib.bsky.social · 17d
F is for Feedback! #HumanitiesLibraryA-Z

Have any thoughts on the library? Do let us know!💭

Thanks to our readers, we've received lots of constructive feedback since our opening. From this, we've enacted various changes to the library's space and services as seen by our 'You said, we did' poster!
An image of a small metal table upon which there is a sign asking our readers to please write down what they think of our new library. The sign is accompanied by post-it notes, pens, and a basket of coloured stickers. An image of a 'You said, we did' sign stuck onto our glass wall opposite the library help desk. Around the side of it are various bits of feedback on post-it notes which we have now resolved.

bodhumslib.bsky.social
Bodleian Humanities Library @bodhumslib.bsky.social · 21d
Heads up for our readers! Engineers are currently in working on our lift, so the very dramatic drilling noises you hear are no need for worry 🛗 Our help desk can advise you on the furthest seats from the noise.

bodhumslib.bsky.social
Bodleian Humanities Library @bodhumslib.bsky.social · 22d
E is for Exhibitions! #HumanitiesLibraryA-Z

We’ve got exciting exhibition space on both the first and ground floors, right outside the library entrances – this season is focused on ‘The Humanities in the 1930s’. Perfect for browsing, particularly if you show up early for our 9am opening. 😊
A photo of the 1st floor Humanities Library Exhibition case. It is in light wood, with clear glass over the books. The books depicted make up part of the 'The Humanities in the 1930s' exhibition, and cover all subjects included in the library. A photo of the Ground floor Humanities Library Exhibition case. It is in light wood, with a wide-spaced metal grille over the books. The books depicted make up part of the 'The Humanities in the 1930s' exhibition, and cover all subjects included in the library. A photo showing a detail from the Humanities Library exhibition 'The Humanities in the 1930s'. The books shown facing the camera are 'Homage to Catalonia' by George Orwell, and 'Creation and Fall' by Dietrich Bonhoeffer.

bodhumslib.bsky.social
Bodleian Humanities Library @bodhumslib.bsky.social · 24d
To learn more about the exhibition, see: visit.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/treasured
Treasured
Free exhibition at the Bodleian Libraries in Oxford. See some of the stand out objects from our collection and discover what makes a treasure
visit.bodleian.ox.ac.uk

Reposted by Michael H. Whitworth

bodhumslib.bsky.social
Bodleian Humanities Library @bodhumslib.bsky.social · 24d
Calling DPhils! 📣

The Bodleian Libraries are offering an exclusive free guided tour of the Treasured exhibition on Wednesday 26th November.

You'll also have the chance to meet fellow DPhil students and library staff over a mince pie.

Spaces are limited! Book here: forms.office.com/e/jibkwGNjvz
Microsoft Forms
forms.office.com

bodhumslib.bsky.social
Bodleian Humanities Library @bodhumslib.bsky.social · 27d
#Halloween is here! 👻🎃

Our spooky help desk is always available to answer your most terrifying questions, like ‘where is this book?’ or ‘why can’t I find somewhere to sit?’. There'll always be at least one member of staff here and happy to help! (Unseen here, but we're usually corporeal, promise!)
A photo of the help desk at the Humanities Library. The desk has glowing orange string lights in the shape of jack o'lanterns strung across it. It also has paper pumpkins at each end, next to the libary mascot rubber ducks. The desk is unmanned in the photo.

bodhumslib.bsky.social
Bodleian Humanities Library @bodhumslib.bsky.social · 28d
D is for Dictionaries! #HumanitiesLibraryA-Z

Want a more #darkacademia aesthetic than searching terms on the web? We’ve got hard copies of reference works on our 1st and 2nd floors! Head to the western side of the main reading spaces – ‘Dictionaries 1’ or ‘Dictionaries 2’ on SOLO. Bill for scale.
A photo showing a row of large, late-19th century English dictionaries bound in brown leather. The spines are labelled with the shelfmark and the label 'Dictonaries 2'. A photo of the largest dictionary in the collection upright on the help desk. It is about the size of a small table and nearly a foot thick. It is bound in brown leather with handsome decorations. At its base is Bill Shakespeare, the English librarys rubber duck who is 'dressed' in Elizabethan clothes, for scale.

bodhumslib.bsky.social
Bodleian Humanities Library @bodhumslib.bsky.social · 28d
Heads up for our readers! Engineers are currently hard at work repairing our book gates; no longer will they beep at random times! Thank you for bearing with us while we make the library even better for you (the library is still fully accessible in the meantime).
A photo of the book gates at the first floor entry to the Humanities Library. The left-hand side is clear, but the right has been blocked by trolleys to allow the engineers to work. The engineers face is covered by a star, for anonymity.

bodhumslib.bsky.social
Bodleian Humanities Library @bodhumslib.bsky.social · Oct 28
You said, we did!
• Gate entry noises (except alarms)=off on both floors!
• Height-adjustable Quick Search machine=available!
• Shelf-ends for books=progressing!
• Two sets of piano headphones=in place!
• Monitors spread out=done!
Please keep the post-its and opinions coming; it really helps!
Photo of poster saying 'you said, we did'. Poster is surrounded by feedback post-its, with smaller post-its with tick marks next to them, to show they were completed. Text of poster included in main post. Photo of height-adjustable Quick Search PC. The PC is raised to be at eye-level when standing, and is positioned in the middle of the first floor of the library, in front of a casual seating area. Photo of librarian shushing the first-floor electronic entry gates. She has long blonde hair, and is wearing a Halloween-themed dress with cobwebs on it.

bodhumslib.bsky.social
Bodleian Humanities Library @bodhumslib.bsky.social · Oct 24
Introducing our ✨first ever✨ display!

Examining the developments in Film, Literature, Medicine, Music, Philosophy, and Theology during the turbulent 1930s, it references events such as WWII, The Great Depression, and the Harlem Renaissance, making it especially topical for #BlackHistoryMonth!
An image of one of the display cases with various books, DVDs, and sheet music inside. In front of each item is an informational placard. The central sign in the case shows the title of the display: 'The Humanities in the 1930s.' An image of the second display case with additional books, DVDs, and sheet music inside. In front of each item is an informational placard. The central sign in the case shows the title of the display: 'The Humanities in the 1930s.'

bodhumslib.bsky.social
Bodleian Humanities Library @bodhumslib.bsky.social · Oct 21
Historically, our collections would indeed have used an in-house classification system! Nowadays though, LCC works well for its breadth and simplicity 😊

bodhumslib.bsky.social
Bodleian Humanities Library @bodhumslib.bsky.social · Oct 20
C is for classification! #HumanitiesLibraryA-Z

We use the Library of Congress Classification System at the Humanities Library! 🏛️

This means that each item is organised by subject using a combination of letters and numbers. See this handy poster for further detail on how the system is broken down!
An image of a poster titled 'Library of Congress Classification System.' Below the title, the poster details each of the 21 categories into which library materials are sorted using this classification technique.

bodhumslib.bsky.social
Bodleian Humanities Library @bodhumslib.bsky.social · Oct 17
B is for books! #HumanitiesLibraryA-Z

We heard a rumour that the Humanities Library has no books in it... and we're delighted to tell you that this is NOT TRUE 🚫

Our library houses over 110,000 books on the open shelves! 📚 And that's not even mentioning our CDs, DVDs, or music scores...
A photograph of books on shelves, extending towards a central point, where more bookshelves are visible

bodhumslib.bsky.social
Bodleian Humanities Library @bodhumslib.bsky.social · Oct 16
#OTD in 1854, Oscar Wilde was born!

We've got plenty of books by (and about!) him waiting here in the library, if you feel like celebrating his birthday 🎂🥳📖
A photograph of multiple books on/about Oscar Wilde arranged on a table

bodhumslib.bsky.social
Bodleian Humanities Library @bodhumslib.bsky.social · Oct 14
Do you want a ✨library tour?✨

We're hosting tours for returning* students and staff every day this week at 11:30am and 2pm. No need to book, just turn up!

*New students and staff also welcome, if you missed our introductory tours last week!
A photograph of six armchairs and small tables arranged in front of a bookcase full of old books.

bodhumslib.bsky.social
Bodleian Humanities Library @bodhumslib.bsky.social · Oct 13
I'm glad you enjoyed your visit! 📚

bodhumslib.bsky.social
Bodleian Humanities Library @bodhumslib.bsky.social · Oct 10
Have you borrowed a book for the vacation?

Bill, Beethoven, and Lanfranc would like to remind you that vacation loans are due back on Tuesday 14th October!

All usual Bodleian lending policies apply: www.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/services/bor...
A photograph of a Shakespeare-themed rubber duck (Bill), a miniature bust of Beethoven, and a Bishop-themed rubber duck (Lanfranc), sitting atop a pile of books in front of an old bookcase and two armchairs.

bodhumslib.bsky.social
Bodleian Humanities Library @bodhumslib.bsky.social · Oct 10
We couldn't possibly leave him behind! 😊

bodhumslib.bsky.social
Bodleian Humanities Library @bodhumslib.bsky.social · Oct 8
A is for Accessibility!

The Humanities Library has:
🛗 Step-free access
🪑 Ergonomic chairs & height-adjustable desks
✍️ 6 study rooms
📖 Bookstands
🎨 Coloured acetate sheets
🤫 Earplugs
🔎 Magnifiers

And more! Speak to a member of staff or see our webstie for more information: tinyurl.com/3sekr7am
A photograph of some accessibility equiptment, including earplugs, a magnifying glass, coloured acetate sheets, reading rulers, and a bookstand

bodhumslib.bsky.social
Bodleian Humanities Library @bodhumslib.bsky.social · Oct 8
We know that a whole new library is a big thing... so we're going to help you get acclimatised with our new series, #HumanitiesLibraryA-Z!

Once a week, we'll show off our new library featuring a different letter of the alphabet! Watch this space 👀
A photograph of the library space, featuring a piano, some comfy chairs, and the J. R. R. Tolkien bust.

bodhumslib.bsky.social
Bodleian Humanities Library @bodhumslib.bsky.social · Oct 7
Got something to say? We want to hear it! 📣

We've put up a feedback wall to gather your thoughts on our new library. We want to hear from you, whether you have compliments or constructive criticism!

Feel free to express yourself with handwritten notes or dot voting 🚥✍️💚
A photograph of a feedback wall. The sign reads 'Welcome to the Humanities Library! Tell us what you think', with space for post-it notes and colourful dot voting.

Reposted by Bodleian Library, Catriona Seth

richove.bsky.social
Richard Ovenden @richove.bsky.social · Oct 3
Huge congratulations to the @bodhumslib.bsky.social team for such a successful opening of the New Humanities Library at the Schwarzman Centre for the Humanities this week! Wonderful feedback for readers and such happy staff!