Using the Library

Using the Library

Welcome to the Library. The main undergraduate and graduate Library is the Tate Library, a beautiful study space that provides 50 reader seats and access to core material for courses studied in College. The Library is usually open to college members 24/7 during term time and 8 a.m. - 10 p.m. during vacations.

Library staff are available if you need help or advice and can be found in the Tate or in the Library office on the ground floor (next door to the Charles Wellbeloved Room).

Finding resources

Collections in the Tate are listed on the University's Library Catalogue, SOLO. Use SOLO to search the library’s holdings, choosing Harris Manchester College Library - solo.bodleian.ox.ac.uk - Tips on using SOLO can be found on the Bodleian’s LibGuide.

Borrowing and Renewals

Books are issued for the duration of Term or Vacation. Readers can renew their books via MyAccount on SOLO or by emailing library staff. Books should be left in the dropbox or trolley outside the library for staff to return.

Requesting Books

We usually purchase recommended books on demand from our local bookshops or online suppliers and can have your requests accessioned and ready to use within 24 hours. We also administer the Personal Book Fund which allows students to buy books, e-books and related equipment through the College.

Please complete this form with any requests for the Library or your own Book Fund.

Library Etiquette

The Library is a silent study space

Please keep conversations to a minimum. There are other spaces in College and elsewhere for group and collaborative study, including the Carpenter Room.
Voices in the library lobby can be heard throughout the reading room so please be quiet when entering and leaving and take all phone conversations outside the main entrance.

Food and drink allowed within reason

Please do not bring hot or odorous food into the Library or eat in a way that is distracting to others, such as the clatter of cutlery or the loud crunching of crisps.
Consumption of alcohol is not permitted in the Library.
Please use coasters provided when bringing in hot drinks

A tidy library is a happy library

Make use of the bins provided and clear your food and drink waste after you.
Washing up facilities are available in the kitchen downstairs.

The Library is a shared space

Readers may leave their library loans and personal books and papers neatly in the Library.
Please clear belongings from desks to the provided trolleys and windowsills so others may use the desk in your absence.

Guests in the Library

College members may be allowed to bring a guest into the library between the hours of 8am and 11pm to study at the discretion of library staff.
Access to the Library for guests in Trinity Term must be approved in advance by the librarians.
Guests should not be left unattended and during busy periods it may not be possible to allow this privilege.
College members are always welcome to show family and friends around the library on short visits.

Photography

Photography without the use of flash is allowed within the library under certain conditions.
Please be considerate of readers’ privacy and ask permission if your shot is going to capture a person’s face.
We would kindly ask to be acknowledged as “Harris Manchester College Library, Oxford” if the photo is used in a published work or released online.

Using the Library