Gladstone Link

The Gladstone Link is a new area of the Bodleian Library that houses open access material that is directly accessible by readers. There is shelf space for an additional 270,000 items of library material which roughly doubles the open shelf provision in the Bodleian Library to around 500,000 items. This new area also links the Old Bodleian Library and the Radcliffe Camera, connecting the reading rooms in these buildings for the first time, and offers 120 extra reader spaces, as well as facilities such as reader terminals and photocopiers.

The Gladstone Link offers an informal study environment, with a variety of furniture types including group study tables in corners or behind acoustic screens that provide opportunities for quiet discussion and group work.

Readers are encouraged to make use of mobile devices or listen to audio through leak-proof headphones. However, readers do need to be aware that this is still a study space. The lobbies are more suitable spaces for moderate phone calls or conversations. (Readers who prefer silent spaces will find the historic reading rooms retain their traditional feel).

The Gladstone Link's opening hours vary between term and vacation. The Link closes 45 minutes before the rest of the library to allow secure and effective closing procedures. Readers can move upstairs with any material of interest and enjoy the remaining open period of the reading rooms in the Old Library or Radcliffe Camera. The Radcliffe Camera and Gladstone Link will be open on Sundays in Full Term.

Location

Gladstone Link
Bodleian Library
Broad Street
Oxford OX1 3BG

This space is situated between the Old Bodleian Library and Radcliffe Camera. It is accessible from:

  • the Old Bodleian Library via the North stairs or the lift in the nearby coat and bag lobby;
  • the Radcliffe Camera via Bay 1 in the Lower Camera reading room.

Enquiries and contact information

Supervisor: Verity Westgate
tel: 01865  (2)77204 
email: reader.services@bodleian.ox.ac.uk 

Though there is no formal staff point in the Gladstone Link, there will normally be members of library staff shelving material in the area who will be able to give basic assistance with, for example, finding material within the Link. For more complicated queries, the nearest service point is the Lower Camera Reserve.

If you require on-the-spot assistance, particularly if you have reduced mobility, please use the emergency telephone (one located on both levels of the Gladstone Link by the red lobby, adjacent to the Radcliffe Camera).

Please note that the full range of services is only offered from the Lower Camera Reserve from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday, and that after 5pm on weekdays and at the weekend staff may refer particular enquiries to the Main Enquiry Desk, or to daytime staff.

The Library’s Main Enquiry Desk in the Lower Reading Room of the Old Library is staffed throughout opening hours, and staff there are happy to help with any queries, direct you to the most appropriate reading room for your studies, and assist with the use of the online catalogue SOLO and electronic resources available via OxLIP+. A range of guides on library services and facilities is also available from the Desk. To contact the Main Enquiry Desk or to ask a question, please use the Ask an Oxford Librarian page.

Using the collections

The material in the Gladstone Link is identified on SOLO, the library catalogue, as Gladstone Link Open Shelves. Material from the Gladstone Link can be taken and used in the Old Library and Camera reading rooms, if desired. There will be a trolley in each reading room where Gladstone Link material can be left. It will be returned to the Link and reshelved each day to ensure its continued availability to as many readers as possible.

The material in the Gladstone Link contsists of:

  • high-use material which has been selected in the basis of previous use by readers, denoted on SOLO by the prefix 'UBHU';
  • recent (3-4 years) intake of academic material which has not been placed elsewhere on open shelves (currently for the years 2009, 2010 and 2011);
  • the Personal Development Collection (a small lending collection).

The Gladstone Link consists of two levels, the Main Level and the Basement Level.

The Main Level houses:

  • new intake: M.10 and M.11;
  • weekly new book display;
  • Po Chung Personal Development Collection.

The Basement Level houses:

  • new intake: M.09;
  • high-usage: UBHU (Nicholson up to 1987 and M.88-M.08 (1988-2008);
  • Academy volumes from the Lower Reading Room.

Classification

Apart from the Nicholson sequence and the Personal Development Collection (the latter arranged by Library of Congress classification), material is in shelfmark order arranged principally by year of intake (e.g. M.98 = 1998), then by size. (Note: on the Basement Level, large items, sizes 'l', 'a', 'b' are shelved in the North West corner).

The Personal Development Collection

The Po Chung Personal Development Collection may be borrowed by University members via the Lower Camera Reserve from 5th October 2011.

Replacing Statistics

Material shelved in the Gladstone Link is replaced regularly. All Gladstone Link material left overnight on reader desks or designated trolleys is returned to the Link by 9am Monday – Friday and may therefore be retrieved from replacing trolleys if the book you want is not on the shelves. Material returned to the Link by 9am is replaced by 1pm, although in practice the majority is reshelved earlier. Any Gladstone Link material that is left on designated trolleys in reading rooms or the Link by 2pm is replaced by 4.30pm the same day. If you cannot find the item you are looking for, please speak to staff who may be replacing in the Link or ask at the Lower Camera Reserve.

 

Statistics relating to replacing of material shelved in the Link can be found here (information will be updated shortly after the end of each term and vacation).

 

Stack Material and Open Access material from other reading rooms

Generally, stack material requested to the Upper and Lower Reading Rooms in the Old Bodleian Library and the Lower Camera Reading Room can be brought down to the Gladstone Link to use, as can material from the open shelves in these locations. Material published pre-1851 should not be removed from the Old Bodleian, and material dated pre-1701 should be used in Duke Humfrey's Library. While no items can be removed from Duke Humfrey's Library, material from the Gladstone Link can be taken there.

If you wish to reserve stack material for future use, you must return it to the Reading Room Reserve from which you collected it. Readers are also asked to return other stack material to the Reserve so that we know it is no longer in your possession and in case it has been requested by another reader. 

Facilities

Computer and laptop facilities

Computers are available for readers to consult SOLO, OxLIP+ databases, and internet resources of academic interest.

Many of the seats are adjacent to power sockets, and wireless is available throughout the Gladstone Link– for more information please consult the Using a laptop page.

Printing, scanning and photocopying

Printing, scanning and photocopying is available on both levels of the Link near the red lobby, adjacent to the Radcliffe Camera. Payment is made using a PCAS account, which readers must set up to take advantage of these services. The account can be credited using credit/debit cards online, or using the cash-loader in the Lower Reading Room of the Old Library. 

Information on the PCAS system, full details of what can be copied and information about other copying services are given on the making a copy page.

Please note that photocopiers are turned off when the Gladstone Link closes and readers must stop copying when requested to do so by staff.

Closing routine

This commences quarter of an hour before the Gladstone Link closes. Access control will engage to prevent further entry/re-entry to the area at this time. Readers leaving the Link should use the green door release switch to exit. Staff will announce the closure of the Link via tannoy and then will proceed to clear the area, turning off the copiers, reader computers and terminals, and turning down the lighting in the area. Readers who wish to continue working can take material from the Gladstone Link to one of the reading rooms in the Radcliffe Camera or Old Bodleian Library and study there until the Library closes.

Please ensure that you take all your belongings with you when you leave the Library.

Emergency telephone points

The Gladstone Link offers two emergency telephone points. These are located near the red lobby, adjacent to the Radcliffe Camera, one on each level. Telephone numbers readers might need are displayed in the area.

Fire exits and assembly point

As there is no formal staff point in the Gladstone Link, readers must familiarise themselves with the fire escape routes and evacuation plans. You must leave immediately if the fire alarm sounds in the Gladstone Link, evacuating as directed by the flashing signage. Evacuation will either be through the tunnel to the Old Bodleian or through the Radcliffe Camera. Readers may also be asked to make a precautionary evacuation if either the Old Bodleian or Radcliffe Camera are evacuated. 

The assembly point is in Brasenose Lane. Readers must leave the building promptly when the fire alarm sounds or when instructed to by library staff.

Health and Safety Information

Rolling Shelving

Readers should be careful of themelves, other readers and the books at all times.

  • Check the aisles before you roll the case(s)
  • Roll the case(s) gently
  • For extra security use the case lock to secure the case in position 
  • If the case seems jammed, check that the case lock is undone; please do not force the cases

One section of the original Gladstone shelving is still arranged in its historic form as rolling shelving. Please use this with care and always push cases back into position after use. Readers should refrain from using the mobile Gladstone shelving if wearing open-toed footwear.

Grille Flooring

Some areas of the original grille flooring on the Main Level are exposed. Readers should refrain from walking on this flooring in thin heels. 

Restricted Headroom

Due to the nature of the structure, the ceilings in the Gladstone Link are relatively low. Readers over 6ft (1.8m) tall may need to watch for low-hanging items.

If you encounter any hazards, please report them to the reshelving staff or the Lower Camera Reserve as soon as possible.  

FAQs:

If I take material from one reading room to another, do I have to take it back again?

We (and other readers) would be greatly assisted if you were to take material with which you have finished back to its home reading room, but this is not required and there are 'repatriation' trolleys in each reading room/area. Please note: stack material which you wish to retain for further consultation must be taken back to the Reserve from which you collected it.

How soon will material be returned to its correct place?

We will be almost continuously returning and reshelving material, and aim to get material back to its home reading room/area within a few hours. Material awaiting reshelving will be gathered to a small number of identified places to facilitate your finding it.

Does the open shelf slip system operate in the Gladstone Link?

No. Although it will continue in the reading room, we do not propose to introduce this in the Gladstone Link as the nature of the material and the space is different.

Why is some material unclassified?

It would have been prohibitively expensive to classify 270,000 items of stock, and we have preferred  to maintain investment in the acquisition of new material. We hope that you will enjoy direct and immediate access to this material, and we are looking into cost-effective ways of classifying future new intake.

Why isn't there a fetching service from the Gladstone Link?

Feedback from readers strongly suggests that your preference is for material to be on open access for direct and immediate finding. It is not normal practice to provide a fetching service for open shelf material.