Spaces at the Radcliffe Science Library

The Radcliffe Science Library offers a wide range of study spaces. Wi-Fi is available throughout the library. 

The RSL shares the building with Reuben College. Some floors belong to Reuben College and will be inaccessible to people who are not members of the college. Other floors will belong to the library and can be accessed by any member of the University.

General seating

There are two reading rooms in the library: the Quiet Reading Room in the Jackson Wing, second floor, and the Informal Reading Room in the Worthington Wing, second floor. The Quiet Reading Room features large open windows, classical Victorian aesthetic with dark wood bookshelves and desks and seating for 70 people. Computers are at the front of the reading room. There is no library desk in this reading room.

The Informal Reading Room also has large windows and a variety of seating including armchairs, computer chairs and chairs with and without armrests. It seats up to 48 people. The computers are at the front of the reading room near the library desk.

Food and drink are not allowed in the reading rooms except for bottled water and drinks in KeepCups.

Social areas

The RSL has two relaxation areas with armchairs and sofas, one on the ground floor and one on the lower ground floor. The ground floor also has a tea point with a sink and vending machines that all readers in the library are welcome to use. You are welcome to eat, drink and chat in these relaxation areas.

Wellbeing Room

Staff and students of the University are welcome to drop in to the Wellbeing Room whenever they wish to relax, centre themselves or rest. The room can be booked by groups such as clubs, societies and book clubs and will be unavailable when booked. Events in the room must finish 30 minutes before the library closes to allow time for staff to securely empty the building. The room is not bookable between 2pm and 5pm, to guarantee a time when the room is available to everyone. The RSL will be running a series of events around wellbeing in the Wellbeing Room over the term.

The room contains a large sofa, 6 armchairs and a table with chairs for 6 people as well as 2 bean bags. It also houses our wellbeing collection, a range of novels, books on mental health, graphic novels and more.

The room also houses a range of activities that readers can try out, including knitting, crochet and origami. We have fidget toys, textured pillows and a weighted blanket to help you relax. There are also board games, Lego and Play-Doh for use on your own or in a group.

Cold food and drinks in sealed cups are allowed in the space. Keep an eye on our social media for updates on upcoming events and check out the Bodleian wellbeing page.

For enquiries about the RSL Wellbeing Room or wellbeing events in the RSL, please email enquiries.rsl@bodleian.ox.ac.uk.

Study carrels

Our individual study carrells are located on the lower ground floor. There are three standard-size and one large accessible study carrel.

Students registered with the Disability Advisory Service can book the carrels for up to 15 hours per week. To make a booking, please email enquiries.rsl@bodleian.ox.ac.uk a day ahead at the latest.

All other readers can use the carrels on a first-come, first-served basis, with an understanding they may be asked to find an alternative seating if the carrel has been booked.

Group study rooms and training rooms

Cold food and drinks in sealed cups are allowed in our group study rooms. All members of the University can book these rooms using our online booking system. All have a whiteboard, and markers can be borrowed from the library desks.

Group Study Room 1

Located in the lower ground floor, this room fits up to 6 people. The room has a window that will let in some natural light.

The room is a Microsoft Teams room, meaning it has a touch screen cameras and microphones all integrated in the room, making it perfect for hybrid meetings. The screen can be used to display content from a reader’s laptop using the cable provided.

Group Study Room 2

Located in the Worthington Wing, second floor beyond the reading room, this room fits up to 7 people. The room has a window that will let in some natural light.

The room is a Microsoft Teams room: it has a touch screen, and cameras and microphones all integrated in the room, making it perfect for hybrid meetings. The screen can be used to display content from a reader’s laptop using the cable provided.

Group Study Room 3

Located in the Worthington Wing, second floor beyond the reading room, this room fits up to 6 people. The room has a large window that will let in natural light. There is a screen that can be used to display content from a reader’s laptop using the cable provided.  

Group Study Room 4

Located in the Worthington Wing, second floor beyond the reading room, this room fits up to 6 people. The room has a large window that will let in natural light. There is a screen that can be used to display content from a reader’s laptop using the cable provided.  

Seminar Room Temporarily unavailable

Located on the lower ground floor, this room is a flexible space that can be used for seminar teaching or as a group study space. It can seat up to 30 people in a theatre-style layout, or it can be rearranged with chairs surrounding up to 4 tables. This room has no PC, so presenters will have to provide their own device or contact the library in advance to arrange use of a laptop. Events in the room must finish 30 minutes before the library closes to allow time for staff to securely empty the building.