Spaces at the VHL

A birdseye view of the reading room at the Vere Harmsworth Library
The lift to the upper and lower levels of the Vere Harmsworth Library is out of order. There is step-free access to the ground floor only. There is no step-free access to the accessible bathrooms. Please contact vhl@bodleian.ox.ac.uk for any queries related to accessing the collections. 
 

Study areas

There are large seating areas on the ground and mezzanine floor. There are also 53 individual desks on the upper floors. There are 12 PCs for reader use on ground floor.

Reserved desks

The carrels on the first floor overlooking the mezzanine are reserved for named DPhil students at the Rothermere American Institute. Other readers are welcome to use these desks, but please note that you may be asked to move by the carrel holder. If you are a DPhil student connected with the RAI and would like to go on the waiting list for a desk, please contact the Librarian. 

Group study rooms

The library has three group study rooms which can be booked.

The Godfrey Hodgson Room is on the ground floor, by the enquiry desk. It includes a whiteboard, and seats up to 6 people.

There are two group study rooms located on the first floor. Each of these rooms is lockable and anyone booking these rooms needs to check in at the enquiry desk to receive the key in exchange for their University or Bodleian Reader card. Both spaces include whiteboard tables and can seat up to four people.

Current University of Oxford members can book the space via our online booking system. Bodleian Reader card holders can place a booking by contacting staff via email (vhl@bodleian.ox.ac.uk), phone (+44 1865 272800), or by speaking to staff at the enquiry desk.