Poster with cream text on a blue background. Tulips scatter the bottom of the page. The text reads, 'Vacation Loans. The spring vacation begins on Sunday 15th March. Loans issued or renewed from Monday 9th March will be due back on Tuesday 28th April. Happy reading!

Heads up! It's nearly Trinity, which means it's time to polish off your last chapters before the bustle of term! Vac loans are due back on Tuesday 28th April.

If you'd like to keep them, don't worry; as long as no one has requested them, they'll continue to renew until they hit 112 days. 🌷🪻

Interested in all things anatomy? Then you might enjoy this wonderful @bodleian.ox.ac.uk event! 💀

Registration is free and open to all current university members - see further details below! ✨

Welcome to our first #ResourceSpotlight!

This week, we're highlighting Professor Chris Whitty's "British Books and Books Published in English Related to Medicine, 1475-1640: A Handlist of Identified Works."🩺

For access and further details, head to the History of Medicine LibGuide linked below!

A graphic of three purple spotlights, the Bodleian Libraries Logo, and the words 'Humanities Library Resource Spotlight'

So #HumanitiesLibraryA-Z is done - you may find yourself wondering how you'll survive without our helpful weekly reminders!

Fear not - a new series is coming soon. Each week we'll be highlighting a resource that's useful to the subject areas we support 💜

Watch this space! 👀 #ResourceSpotlight

A photograph of the 'Z' section of shelving, with 'The Printed Book' by H. G. Aldis displayed

Z is for Bibliography and Information Resources! (well, at least in our classification system...) #HumanitiesLibraryA-Z The library holds a range of books on this topic, supporting English, Internet Studies, and more! Look out for shelfmarks that start with the telltale 'Z'! 📚💻📕

A graphic poster which reads: "Bodleian Humanities Library Building Closure The Humanities Library, including the Ground Floor 24/7 space, will be closed on Saturday 11th April (starting 9pm, Friday 10th April). We will reopen at 9am on Sunday 12th April This is a building-wide closure. We apologise for any inconvenience."

Heads up - the Humanities Library will be closed on Saturday 11th April!

The Schwarzman Centre for the Humanities is closed on Saturday, so the library will be too. Full details are available in the graphic below 👇

Well spotted! I'm on it 🫡

A photo showing the You Said, We Did wall in the Humanities Library. Four posters can be seen, each surrounded by post-its. The post-its are reader feedback, and the posters are responding to this. Behind the clear glass wall, the relaxed seating area in the library can be seen.

A close-up photo of one 'You Said, We Did' poster. The five changes detailed by the poster are: '-The bottom shelf in the self-collect area has now been lowered to accomodate larger items. -A list of where to find ergonomic chairs can be found in the accessibility station - this includes one chair available upon staff request! -Subject information is being added to the end of each shelving unit to assist with browsing. This is a work in progress, but is progressing steadily! -A Collections Map is now available at the desk! You can find it on the reverse of our existing Spaces and Services Map. -Guidance on how to use study rooms has been posted on the study room doors.' Each point has colourful post-its next to it that hold the feedback that triggered the change.

Y is for You Said, We Did! #HumanitiesLibraryA-Z

We've been gathering feedback since we opened, and been acting on it!

If you'd like to see how your voices and opinions have been enacted so far, take a look at our display wall, opposite the help desk.

Poster for the Bank Holiday Closure, showing daffodils on a blue background. The text reads, 'Bodleian Humanities Library Bank Holiday Closure. The Humanities Library, including the Ground Floor 24/7 space, will close for the Bank Holiday at 9pm on Thursday 2nd April. We will reopen at 9am on Tuesday 7th April.

Heads up for all our readers!

The Humanities Library will be closed for the Bank Holiday from Fri 3rd-Mon 6th April inclusive; make sure you stock up on your books before then 🐣🌷

Thank you! It took a while 🫣

A photograph of the Extra Large books, arranged across four shelves

A photograph of the Extra Extra Large books, arranged on a stand with a built-in book rest on top

X is for XL & XXL! #HumanitiesLibraryA-Z

Some of our books are... well, really quite large! They may be designated as:

🏋️XL (Extra Large): Found in the corner of the first floor reading room, by the Dictionaries
🏋️XXL (Extra Extra Large): Found in a designated stand in the Multimedia Reading Room

Shikshapatri viewing Composed in 1826 by Sahajananda Swami, the Shikshapatri provides moral and spiritual guidance for everyday life in 212 Sanskrit verses

Did you know that the Shikshapatri is currently on loan? To mark its bicentenery, the 212 Sanskrit verses are travelling to various Swaminarayan Temples across the UK.

Currently, you can see it in Willesden!

More information is available here: visit.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/display/shik...

A graphic depicting classic oxford signs with cartoon doodles. It reminds everyone to: Breeze in, sun out - Drink up - Dress for the weather - Cool to 26 - Switch off Be energy friendly. Save energy. Save the environment ox.ac.uk/energy-friendly

A graphic depicting classic oxford signs with cartoon doodles. It reminds everyone to: Lights off - Boil less - Switch off - Layer up - Power down Be energy friendly. Save energy. Save the environment ox.ac.uk/energy-friendly

The weather is a little... unpredictable at the moment, shall we say? ☀️☁️☔

Whatever the weather, don't forget the university advice to be energy friendly! 💚

Just a reminder that we're trialling this new Theology database by Brill for just three more weeks! ⌛

See below for further details on where to send any feedback you may have 🤗

An image of six various poetry anthologies with a William Shakespeare rubber duck sat on top.

World Poetry Day
comes tomorrow, so here's some
books you could borrow!

Why not come down to the Humanities Library and browse our shelves for some poetry? Perhaps you could also try writing a haiku too! 📝☺️

Just a reminder that we're trialling this new Theology database by Brill for just three more weeks! ⌛

See below for further details on where to send any feedback you may have 🤗

We see you've found our History of Medicine collection! Best of luck with the writing and enjoy the sunny views! 🤗

An image of the water fountain in the Bodleian Humanities Library. Just to the side of it, on the right, is our Print, Copy & Scan (PCAS) machine.

W is for Water Fountain! #HumanitiesLibraryA-Z

Our water fountain is located on the first floor of the library just around the corner from our main help desk!

Tucked away next to our trusty PCAS machine, it's here to keep you hydrated on those long study days 💪🚰

A photo of a Humanities Library desk on the first floor, in the 'Main Reading Room' section on the north side. The length of the desk is visible in the photo, as are the lights running down the middle. This ends in a large series of windows, out of which is seen the Radcliffe Observatory against a blue sky.

V is for Views! 📚 #HumanitiesLibraryA-Z

The vast majority of library desks are near at least one window; most point at the lovely Radcliffe Observatory, which we promise looks even better in the sunlight! If you peer out, you can see the blossoms already.☀️ 🌸🌺

Poster advertising the DPhil Crafty Connections event, with bright blue and orange colours. The text reads, 'DPhil Crafty Connections. 5:30-7pm Wednesday, 18th March, Radcliffe Science Library. Get to know other DPhil students while crafting and eating snacks! Book online go.glam.ox.ac.uk/craftyconnections.'

The end of term approaches, but excellent library events continue!

If you're a DPhil looking to decompress, book into @radcliffescilib.bsky.social next Weds evening for a special edition of Crafty Connections. Crafting materials and snacks provided! Booking here ox-ac.libcal.com/calendar/rsl... 🌷

A graphic outlining our vacation loans policy. It reads: "The spring vacation begins on Sunday 15th March. Loans issued or renewed from Monday 9th March will be due back on Tuesday 28th April. Happy reading!" Underneath this text are seven white tulips laid against a light blue background.

Spring vacation loans are now live!

Any loans issued or renewed from the Humanities Library will now be due back on Tuesday 28th April.

Wishing everyone a restful break! 📚💐

A poster for a Brill resource, which reads: "Prayer in the Ancient World Prayer in the Ancient World is the resource on prayer in the ancient Near East and Mediterranean. With over 350 entries it showcases a robust selection of the range of different types of prayers attested from Mesopotamia, Egypt, Anatolia, the Levant, early Judaism and Christianity, Greece, Rome, Arabia, and Iran, enhanced by critical commentary. ISSN: 2949-9003 Publisher: Brill Subjects: African Studies, Religion, Ancient Near East and Egypt, Linguistics, Authors, Texts, Literature, Biblical Studies, Hebrew Bible

New trial database for Theology: Prayer in the Ancient World by Brill! 📣

See the graphic below for more information on what this resource covers 👇

The trial runs until the 7th April 2026! Please send feedback to Dr Wait: hilla.wait@bodleian.ox.ac.uk

Link: solo.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/permalink/44...

A photograph of 5 books on the theme of book history, fanned out to show segments of each cover, including prints and book fragments

A photograph of a bookshelf full of books, with the shelf marks UH 224 - Z 2014 on display

This #WorldBookDay, why not read up on books? 📚

Our shelfmark Z 4 onwards will teach you all about book history! Many of their titles have the added bonus of gorgeous manuscript-themed book covers! 😍

A photograph of six books, each with a sticker on the spine that reads 'Library Use Only'

A photograph of some red paper slips. They read: "USE IN LIBRARY ONLY. This item cannot be borrowed. Replace ont he self-collect shelves to the use again, hand to a member of staff to return it to storage. Please keep slip in place. Bodleian Libraries."

U is for Use in Library Only! 📚 #HumanitiesLibraryA-Z

Some books are only for use in the library, so can't be loaned! This might be because they're in high demand or difficult to replace if they got lost.

Look out for stickers on our books, or the red slips if you're ordering from offsite!

A poster for a Brill resource, which reads: "Prayer in the Ancient World Prayer in the Ancient World is the resource on prayer in the ancient Near East and Mediterranean. With over 350 entries it showcases a robust selection of the range of different types of prayers attested from Mesopotamia, Egypt, Anatolia, the Levant, early Judaism and Christianity, Greece, Rome, Arabia, and Iran, enhanced by critical commentary. ISSN: 2949-9003 Publisher: Brill Subjects: African Studies, Religion, Ancient Near East and Egypt, Linguistics, Authors, Texts, Literature, Biblical Studies, Hebrew Bible

New trial database for Theology: Prayer in the Ancient World by Brill! 📣

See the graphic below for more information on what this resource covers 👇

The trial runs until the 7th April 2026! Please send feedback to Dr Wait: hilla.wait@bodleian.ox.ac.uk

Link: solo.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/permalink/44...

Oops, we actually have 6 loanable DVD players! Even better 🤗💿

An image of three computers on individual desks with the view of the second floor of the library in the background.

T is for Technology! #HumanitiesLibraryAtoZ

We're so lucky to have plenty of tech at the library! Here's a snippet of what we've got to offer:

- 20 monitors
- 11 reader PCs
- 4 loanable DVD players
- 2 DVD & BluRay viewing rooms
- 2 PCAS machines
- CD, LP, and cassette players
- 1 electric piano

An image of our LGBT+ History Month display in the Bodleian Humanities Library. There are eight shelves in view, all of which have relevant books, films, music scores, and/or posters on them. In the centre is an introductory sign for the display which has been printed on top of a pride flag.

An image of our public-facing books shelves and display cases on the ground floor of the Humanities Library. Hung across the top of these three shelves is some bunting featuring various pride flags. On the shelves to the left, the books in our book exchange have been organised by colour to give a rainbow effect.

An image of our 19th century periodical shelves in the Humanities Library with four blue lounge chairs in front of them. Above the shelves hangs some bunting featuring various pride flags.

Come and take a look at our wonderful display for LGBT+ History Month! Showcasing pioneering queer works from across our broad collections, there's something here for everyone!

Oh we've also festooned the library with a few more pride flags...let us know what you think! 🤗🏳️‍🌈

Oxford English Faculty State Schools' Open Day 2026

The ENGLISH FACULTY STATE SCHOOLS' OPEN DAY is taking place on 14 March.

The Open Day is an online event, featuring taster lectures, information about the admissions process, plus a Q&A with current students.

Aimed at Year 12s. Pls share! #EnglishLit #EduSky

A photo of the Humanities Library scores collection. Bookshelves holding colourful collected scores run down each side. At the end of the aisle is another set of metal bookshelves holding colourful miniature scores.

A close-up photo of the Humanities Library miniature scores section. Grey metal shelves stretch away from right to left, holding colourful scores. A copy of Vivaldi's 'Invicti Bellate' RV 638 is poking out of the shelf. Its cover paper is marbled, white and red and yellow on a bottle green background.

S is for Scores! #HumanitiesLibraryAtoZ

You've admired our books, now check out our scores! With over 12,000 available, you can play anything from Arcadelt to Zemlinsky. You can use our piano, or borrow them for home use.

Not a music student? No problem! Our scores are for everyone to enjoy 😊🎼