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.
DPhil Crafty Connections
Thursday 7 March, 5.30–7.30pm | Radcliffe Science Library
Join us in the Radcliffe Science Library for a relaxed early evening event for DPhils where you'll have a chance to try out a range of paper-based activities, including origami, colouring in, decoration making and more! Snacks and hot drinks will be provided!
This is a great opportunity to network with fellow DPhil students and try your hand at some new crafts.
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Winter Wonders
Every Tuesday, 16 January – 26 March, 12.30–12.50pm | Oxford Botanic Garden
Boost your wellbeing by taking 20 minutes of your day to connect with nature.
Even in winter, there are still many botanical wonders to experience at the Botanic Garden. Join our Wellbeing Outreach Officer for these free short spotlights, each focusing our senses on a particular plant, feature or area.
Oxford University staff and students get free entry to the Botanic Garden with a valid ID.
Find out more about Winter Wonders at the Botanic Garden.
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 at the NOC: on the wellbeing trolley.
- Japanese Library: on the entrance level.
- KB Chen China Centre Library.
- Law Library: coffee table by exit.
- Social Science Library
The Radcliffe Science Library has a dedicated Wellbeing Room. Staff and students of the University are welcome to drop in whenever they wish to relax, centre themselves or rest. There is ‘quiet time’ daily 4–5pm, when the lights are dimmed and calming nature videos play.
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
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
Join library staff, students and researchers at 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.
Nature Walk, 1st Monday of each month, 1–2pm
Join a gentle nature walk around some of the University’s parks. Meet in the RSL wellbeing room.
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.