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.
MPLS Mental Health Awareness Week
MPLS are once again offering a Mental Health Awareness Week (MHAW) programme of activity during Week 3 of Trinity Term (11-15 May). Events are open to anyone across the University who wants to get involved.
The Radcliffe Science Library are providing 4 different events as part of MHAW. All will be hosted in our wellbeing room and we’ll be providing hot drinks and biscuits at all our events. Book your place via the MPLS form.
Blind Date with a Book
🗓️ Monday 11 May | 🕘 10.30–11.30 | 📍Radcliffe Science Library
We'll provide a range of pleasure reading for you to choose from, but you won’t be able to judge them by their covers as they’ll all be wrapped in paper.
A Blooming Good Time
🗓️ Monday 11 May | 🕘 12.00-13.00 | 📍Radcliffe Science Library
Plant your own wildflower plug (young plant), take it home and watch it bloom.
Mindfulness for Beginners
🗓️ Thursday 14 May | 🕘 11.00–12.00 | 📍Radcliffe Science Library
Let our experienced trainer guide you through the basics of mindfulness which can help reduce stress and anxiety, enhance self-awareness and improve focus.
Crafternoon
🗓️ Thursday 14 May | 🕘 13.00–14.00 | 📍Radcliffe Science Library
Unwind, get creative, and make something uniquely yours at our relaxed arts and crafts session.
🦙 Alpacas at the library 🦙
🗓️ Wednesday 20 May | 🕘 13.00–16.00 | 📍Radcliffe Camera lawn
As part of our efforts to support wellbeing and help reduce stress and anxiety during this exam period, the Bodleian Libraries will once again welcome a small herd of alpacas onto our premises!
Last year 500 students, academics, Bodleian staff and library card holders queued round the Radcliffe Camera to take a break and meet, pet and feed these peaceful animals.
We will be hosting our furry friends again on the Radcliffe Camera lawn on Wednesday 20 May from 1—4pm.
This event is available to all members of the collegiate University (not members of the public) with access by showing your University, college or Bodleian Reader card.
No need to book – just drop by, join the queue, show your card and have fun! 🦙
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.
