The Library
The Library is at the heart of Wolfson, aiding College members in their study and research.
The library is spread out over three floors and holds a collection of nearly 50,000 items with additional online resources. There are multiple reading rooms and individuals study carrels throughout, giving you a variety of spaces to focus or relax.
The College library is the first port of call for students and researchers for resources and services, and for advice about Oxford libraries and what they offer. Our friendly, knowledgeable librarian is on hand to help you get the most out of the resources available. The Librarian is on-site on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and works remotely on Tuesdays.
The library is open 24/7, every day of the year. To contact the library please email library@wolfson.ox.ac.uk. External readers may use Wolfson’s collection by appointment only. External users wishing to consult our collections or unique items in our special collections should contact the Librarian in the first instance.
Using The Wolfson Library
When you are new to Oxford, navigating our libraries is complicated. “Getting Started Guides” cover what you need to know, or provide a refresher on the services and resources available to you.
College members can use their University card to gain physical access to the library.
The library is a shared working space. Our desks are on a first come, first served basis.
Please look after the books in your possession and do not deface them.
Conversations should be held outside the Library.
You can bring in water in a sports bottle and hot drinks in a keep cup but food and other drinks are prohibited.
You can borrow, renew and return books using the self-service kiosk in the Jessup Room. You can borrow up to 20 books at any one time. Books should be returned or renewed at the beginning and end of each term. Automated reminders will be sent to your University email address.
You can manage your loans through the “My Account” function on SOLO.
If you are unable to borrow a book at the self-service kiosk please complete a sign-out slip, place it in the box provided and email library@wolfson.ox.ac.uk. These can be found next to the self-service kiosk.
There is a £50 fine for lost books which will be imposed 29 days after the due date.
Additional help for readers with disabilities is available to readers in the College Library and Bodleian Libraries.
There are 21 lockers for the short-term storage of laptops, books and papers. Please ask Library staff to issue you a key.
There are seven casual study carrels which can be booked via the Hub.
Individual carrels can be booked for a maximum of one year in certain circumstances. To request an individual carrel, please complete the application form below, outlining the reason for request.
We have PCs available in the library for you to use. You can log on to our workstations using your SSO.
Printers are available in the library and breakout space. Printing can be done from any computer by visiting https://wolfprint.wolfson.ox.ac.uk and logging on with your Oxford SSO account.
The cost of printing is billed to your battels. You require a current university card for this service.
For more details and instructions go to IT services.
The library has seven fixed display cases available for academic use. Should you wish to use one or more display case, please fill out the form below.
N.B. the library is unable to process requests made with less than two weeks’ notice.
There are books on closed access in the Library Annex that must be fetched by the Librarian. Please fill out the form below to request these materials. Under normal circumstances, we will aim to fulfil your request within three working days.
The library strives to be responsive to students’ requirements. If you would like to suggest a book for the library to purchase, please complete the form below.
The librarian will inform you of the decision and will let you know when the book is ready.
If you cannot find one of our books on the shelf at Wolfson College Library, please fill in the form below. A member of Library staff will look for it and report back to you.
External readers may use Wolfson’s collection by appointment only. External users wishing to consult our collections or unique items in our special collections should contact the Librarian in the first instance.
Using Oxford Libraries
The Bodleian Libraries are a group of 26 libraries across Oxford.
Search for a library by name, browse by location or use the filters to find your preferred workspace. You can also browse group study rooms across the Bodleian Libraries.
Browse the subject guides to help you find the right subject libraries(s), contact your subject librarian and locate resources in your subject.
The Weston Library provides access to the special collections (manuscripts and archives, rare books, printed ephemera, maps, music and digitized collections) in libraries across Oxford and support research in many disciplines.
Digital Bodleian provides access to digital images from the special collections.
SOLO is the catalogue of the Bodleian, college and associated libraries.
There are a wide range of e-resources. Use this guide for an introduction to e-resources and information about finding online resources, accessing them and getting help.
E-Books
Oxford has access to a wide range of ebooks, which can be found via SOLO. For more detailed information about finding, accessing, using and citing e-books see the E-Books LibGuide.
E-Journals
You can access over 118,000 e-journals via SOLO. BrowZine gives you seamless access to online journals licensed by the Bodleian Libraries directly from SOLO or from the BrowZine website.
The Library provides access to over 1,700 databases across a broad range of subject areas, search and browse through Databases A-Z. These provide access to book chapters, conference proceedings and articles in abstract and free text.
ORA
The Oxford University Research Archive (ORA) is an archive of research materials produced by members of the University of Oxford from all disciplines.
ORLO
Explore reading lists for a selection of courses across all divisions on ORLO, with access to scanned book chapters where available.
Open Access is now required for all publicly funded Research and for the REF. Open Access is complicated and information can be found here.
Data Management is required by funding bodies and information can be found here.
Bodleian iSkills workshops focus on information skills and resources across a wide range of disciplines.
