Spaces at the Law Library

Two readers sit facing each other either side of a wooden desk, the room behind is light and airy

There are several different kinds of workspace in the Bodleian Law Library. Some are restricted to research students and members of the Law Faculty. 

Use our floorplans (PDF) to find your way around the Bodleian Law Library or ask library staff for help.  

Please note that no food is allowed in the library. You may only bring bottled water and drinks in KeepCups.

Seating spaces

Main floor (Level 2)

The main reading room is open to everybody. This is the large area as you come into the library on Level 2. There are a number of desks by the windows, some of which have Bodleian Reader PCs.  Every second row of desks has power sockets. If you need to, you can borrow a powerbank from the Enquiry Desk. The desks and chairs in this area originate from when the library opened in 1964.

The Just In Corner

If you would like a more relaxed reading area, there is soft seating available in the main reading room to the left of the entrance. This area also has the Oxford Authors' display, showing recent publications by present and past Law Faculty members, and the New Journals Display. A height-adjustable desk is located in this space.

Nearby is a long desk with a couple of Quick Search terminals to search the catalogue, one Bodleian Reader PC and a printer to permit printing from microfilm or fiche.

Ground floor seating

There are desks along the corridor leading to the IT Training Room and there is more seating in the Official Papers section. There is also a height-adjustable desk outside Discussion Room 1 and a PCAS (Printing, Copying & Scanning) machine.

Level 1 seating

There are desks available on Level 1 outside the BARBRI Seminar Room. These desks do not have power sockets but you can borrow a powerbank from the Enquiry Desk. There is a separate desk which does have a power socket.

Level 3 seating

There are desks situated in the ‘overhang’ and a number of desks by the windows. There is a PCAS machine on this floor and a height adjustable desk.

Carrels (Level 3)

There are also a number of carrels on level 3. Each carrel seats 2 people and are open to all readers. These operate on a first-come, first-served basis. Some carrels have Bodleian Reader PCs as well. The doors are kept open.

Carrels (Level 2)

There are a small number of closed carrels in the library. They are primarily intended for readers with special educational needs.

Discussion rooms and Seminar Room (Ground and Level 1)

The Bodleian Law Library has three discussion rooms and the Seminar Room available for members of the University to book.

The discussion rooms are on the ground floor. Discussion Room 3 is next to the Large IT Room, with Discussion Room 1 and Discussion Room 2 on the other side of the staircase.

The Seminar Room is on Level 1.

All rooms have a relatively strong Wi-Fi signal.

Please read through the room descriptions and the instructions below on how to book.

 

  • These rooms may only be booked for Bodleian Libraries or University of Oxford-related purposes.
  • An individual or group may only book a room for a maximum of 3 hours in one day.
  • You can book rooms across the Bodleian Libraries for a total of 10 hours per week.
  • All attendees must have a University card or Bodleian Reader card.
  • You must book at least 1 hour before you would like to use the room. You can book up to 70 days in advance. Please contact the Law Library if you need to book for a date beyond this.
  • To check availability and book, visit the booking site and use the filters to search for available spaces.
  • If you have any issues with booking or questions about the spaces, contact law.library@bodleian.ox.ac.uk (put Room Booking in the subject field).
  • You should receive a confirmation email when you book.

 

This room seats 4 people. It has a whiteboard and a window. Whiteboard sets including marker pens and a board rubber can be borrowed from the enquiry desk.

Book this room.

 

This room is suitable for up to 6 people. It has audio-visual equipment. Basic instructions are provided, and equipment can be borrowed from the enquiry desk. It also has a whiteboard. Whiteboard sets including marker pens and a board rubber can be borrowed from the enquiry desk.

Book this room

 

This room is suitable for 3 – 4 people. It has a whiteboard. Whiteboard sets including marker pens and a board rubber can be borrowed from the enquiry desk.

Book this room

 

The Seminar Room is on Level 1 and can seat up to 15 people. It may be used for academic meetings and seminars on weekdays when the library is open. It has a pull-down screen and a projector can be borrowed from the enquiry desk. If you will need help to set up and pack away the projector, please request this when you book. It also has a whiteboard. Whiteboard sets including marker pens and a board rubber can be borrowed from the enquiry desk.

Book this room

Other rooms

IT Training Room

The IT Training Room is on the ground floor, in the far corner or straight along the corridor as you go down the main stairs. It has 12 workstations but more seats are available if you have your own device. It is intended for the use of Law Faculty students and staff. The room is used for teaching the undergraduate Legal Research Skills Programme, for the Legal Research Classes programme, and for training in the use of legal databases.  

When the room is not being used for teaching, members of faculty and students may use the computers for general academic use. 

Small Computer Room

There is a smaller computer room available to use. This is also located on the ground floor. The room has 7 PCs and is available to use during most of the year. There are occasional classes held in this room. Please ask staff for more information.

Graduate Reading Room

The Graduate Reading Room is on the ground floor, next to the Small Computer Room. It is available for any postgraduate student to use, as well as BCL and MJur students who prepare a brief dissertation as part of their course. It offers desks plus a relatively strong Wi-Fi signal. The room also has a whiteboard. The room is a silent study area and should not be used for group discussions. You may bring books from any part of the library into this room, including the Law Reserve collection.

Photocopying Room

The Photocopying Room is located off the main reading room to the left of the entrance. It has 3 PCAS machines for self-service photocopying, scanning and printing