Bodleian Social Science Library

• Four Blue Badge parking spaces are available outside the adjacent St Cross Building. The spaces are shared with users of the St Cross and Manor Road buildings.
• The spaces are for University car park permit holders only.
• Please contact the St Cross Building in advance to arrange parking.

Building entrance

• Step-free access to the main entrance is available via a ramp. There are also three steps up to the entrance concourse.
• The building entrance has revolving doors and a powered door.
• Once inside, the library entrance is straight ahead, close to the main reception desk.

Library entrance

• The library has powered sliding entrance doors.
• There are secure entrance and exit gates inside the library.
• If you are using a larger wheelchair or mobility aid, you can use the wider accessible gate.
• Your University card must be registered before you can use the wider gate for the first time. Please use the contact details on this page to arrange this in advance.

Manor Road Building reception

The main building reception desk is on the left as you enter the foyer.

• The reception desk does not have a lowered section.
• A fixed hearing loop is available at the desk.

Social Science Library helpdesk

The library helpdesk (Issue Desk) is inside the library.

• The desk is at an accessible height, but there is no knee recess underneath.
• A fixed hearing loop is available at the desk.

The toilets are straight ahead as you enter the library, before the library helpdesk.

• The door into the toilet area is heavy to open.
• An accessible toilet is available alongside the male and female toilets.
• The accessible toilet is slightly smaller than standard.
• Additional accessible toilets are available elsewhere in the Manor Road Building.

The library is on the ground floor and is step-free throughout.

• The library is mainly open plan, with few internal doors.
• The main library entrance has powered sliding doors.
• Some internal doors are solid and do not have vision panels. The rooms around them have glazed walls, which may be covered by blinds.
• A passenger lift within the library provides access to the upper floors of the Manor Road Building. The library itself is entirely on the ground floor.
• Height-adjustable desks and ergonomic chairs are available throughout the library.

Most of the library is a large open-plan space, divided into study areas by bookshelves and desks.

• Bookshelves extend from floor level to full height. Library staff can retrieve books for you if required.
• There is plenty of natural light throughout much of the library.
• Five bookable study carrels are available for students whose Student Support Plan recommends their use. Please use the contact details on this page to arrange access in advance.

A range of study spaces is available, including:

• 2 discussion rooms, available to book in advance.
• Quiet (Informal) Study Room
• Silent Study Room
• Wellbeing Corner
• Information Skills Training Room

Step-free access is available to all of these spaces.

• Food is not normally allowed in the library. Bottled water and drinks in reusable cups with lids are allowed.
• If your Student Support Plan recommends that you bring food into library spaces, you can do so.
• A water fountain is available behind the main reception desk in the Manor Road Building.
• The Glasshouse Café is on the first floor of the Manor Road Building, above the library.
• Drinks and snack vending machines are also available on the first floor.

A range of assistive equipment is available to use in the library.

Assistive equipment

• screen magnification equipment and magnifiers
• ergonomic and light-touch keyboards
• headphones and ear plugs
• desk and daylight lamps
• coloured overlays
• book rests and footrests
• blue-light blocking glasses

External monitors are also available for connecting your own laptop or device.

Please ask at the library helpdesk if you would like to use any of this equipment. A full list of available equipment is available on the Social Science Library website.

Desks and seating

• Electronic and manual height-adjustable desks are available in several study areas, including the quiet and silent study rooms.
• Fixed-height standing desks are available in several areas of the library.
• Ergonomic chairs are available throughout the library.
• Adjustable chairs are available in study rooms and at computer desks. Library staff can provide or move these if required.