Wellbeing in the libraries
The Bodleian Libraries run a wide range of activities to help support wellbeing for staff, students and readers.
Upcoming sessions
Check back to this page to find out about upcoming wellbeing sessions.
Ice cream social at the RSL
🗓️ Monday 8 June | 🕘 10.00–12.00, or until it's gone | 📍Radcliffe Science Library
Whether you’ve finished your exams or are still working hard you deserve a break! Pop in to the Radcliffe Science Library and pick up a free ice cream on us. There are vegan and gluten free options, so something to please nearly everyone. All University staff and students are welcome.
Shredding of the worry box
🗓️ Thursday 18 June | 🕘 10.00–11.00 | 📍Radcliffe Science Library
We're celebrating the end of term and the end of our worries! We'll be shredding the worries posted in our worry box and sending them with our colleague to the gardens to become fertiliser.
Drop in and enjoy cake, hot drinks and shredding.
Therapy dogs in the library
🗓️ Thursday 18 June | 🕘 12.00–13.00 | 📍Radcliffe Science Library
We have some very special four-legged guests coming to the Radcliffe Science Library! If you’re missing your fluffy best friend from home, or just need some calm-time, come and meet some therapy dogs.
This is a drop-in session so no booking necessary but if we have large numbers of people, we may have to limit the numbers so the dogs will not be overwhelmed. Everyone should get the chance to meet at least one of the visiting dogs.
Let your art leave your mark
Looking for a creative outlet? Here’s a chance to get involved in a project that could see your talent displayed in the Radcliffe Science Library for years to come. We’re looking for students to submit art for display. Read our blog for details. The deadline for submissions is Friday 19 June.
Regular activities
Quiet activities in the libraries
Many of our libraries have set up a quiet corner with activities to help you take a break whenever you need it, including colouring, jigsaws and origami. Find them at the following library sites:
- Bodleian Old Library: in the Reader Common Room.
- Education Library: on the coffee table.
- Girdlestone Memorial Library (NOC): on the wellbeing trolley.
- Humanities Library
- Japanese Library: on the entrance level.
- KB Chen China Centre Library.
- Law Library: coffee table by exit.
- Social Science Library
- Old Road Campus Library: in the library entrance.
- Cairns Library (John Radcliffe Hospital): in the wellbeing area.
- Vere Harmsworth Library: jigsaw table on the ground floor.
The Radcliffe Science Library has a dedicated Wellbeing Room with a range of jigsaws, colouring, crafting and more. Staff and students of the University are welcome to drop in whenever they wish to relax, centre themselves or rest. To check out the wide range of wellbeing events taking place in the Radcliffe Science Library, please view the RSL Wellbeing Calendar.
The Space for Reading is also available for everyone in the public atrium of the Weston Library (Monday to Friday: 9am – 5pm; Saturday: 10am – 5pm; Sunday: 11am – 4pm).
Book swap at the Bodleian Old Library
Craft and Chat at the RSL, first Tuesday of the month, 1-2pm
Looking to meet up with fellow crafters? Bring yourself and your craft along to the RSL monthly craft & chat meet up. Tea, coffee and biscuits provided to fuel the chat!
Book your place on our calendar
Complimentary tea and coffee in the RSL, every Wednesday in term, 10am–12pm
Every Wednesday in term the RSL will be offering free tea and coffee in the Vending Area, between 10am–12pm. No booking needed just pop into the library on a Wednesday morning and get yourself a cuppa. You deserve it!
Lego Lunch, every Wednesday, 1–2pm
You bring the lunch & we bring the Lego. Eat, chat, create! At the Radcliffe Science Library, in the Wellbeing Room.
Coffee Morning, every Friday at 10.30–11.30am
Oxford University staff and students are welcome to join this lively and welcoming weekly event, held in the Centre for the Study of the Book inside the Weston Library. After time for chatting, there is a ‘show and tell’ of one or more of the fascinating items in the Library’s special collections. Tea and coffee provided.
Book Clubs at the Health Care Libraries
Join one of our friendly book clubs to take part in thought-provoking discussions of a diverse range of books. Find details of our book clubs and what we are reading next.
Music and Medicine
Calling all pianists, or those keen to give it a try. The Cairns Library at the John Radcliffe Hospital has a silent piano available for you to play 24/7, with no advance booking required. Headphones and sheet music are provided, so why not give it a go!
Take a GLAM break
If you need a longer break, why not use your University card to visit a museum or garden? Wander round the Botanic Garden, immerse yourself in art at the Ashmolean, hang out with the dinosaurs at the Museum of Natural History, hunt for tucked away items at the Pitt Rivers Museum or marvel at the astrolabes at the History of Science Museum.
