Using the LibraryUsing the LibraryUsing the catalogue you can find the shelfmarks of the books that you require. Plans of the Library showing the location of the various shelfmarks are to be found on the backs of the doors into the East and West Libraries. There is an accompanying alphabetical index to the classification scheme. Examination papers for 1995 to 2000 are kept in the entrance hall. Papers from 2000 onwards are available on the web.
Earlier volumes of periodicals, publications of the Early English Text Society and the Camden Society and a large collection of miniature scores are kept in the basement, along with examination papers from more than six years ago and older editions of textbooks and novels. Items in the basement have shelfmarks prefixed with J/ and you can ask a member of staff to fetch them, though such items can only be fetched Mondays to Fridays between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. You can borrow items from the basement in exactly the same way as other items.
Each book taken out on loan must be recorded on the computer in the entrance hall, by scanning your University Card to bring up your reader record and then scanning the barcodes to be found inside the front cover of all Christ Church books. It is possible to see which items you currently have on loan by scanning your University Card again at this stage, or you can view your reader record on the web. If the computer is out of action for any reason, a correctly completed loan slip must be placed in the box provided at the front desk. If you require any help then please ask a member of staff.
Volumes marked with a red sticker on the spine, all reference books (that is, those with a Ref shelfmark), unbound periodical parts and examination papers are confined to the Library at all times.
Undergraduates may have up to twenty books on loan at any one time, and postgraduates may have up to forty.
Bound periodical volumes must be returned within seven days. Books may be borrowed for a longer period, unless a notice is received requiring their return; to renew a book, please bring it into the Library and issue it again. In any case, undergraduates must return all books by Monday of 8th Week each term, and postgraduates by 30th June each year.
Up to ten books may be reserved by undergraduates for borrowing over the vacation. Forms for this purpose may be obtained from the Library during 7th Week and given to the Library staff no later than Tuesday of 8th Week. The books allocated can be collected on Friday of 8th Week. Periodicals may not be borrowed over vacations. All books borrowed are due back on Saturday of 0th Week the following term.
If you borrow a book then you are responsible for it until its return. Do not pass books on to others without first returning them to the Library. If a book which is out under your name fails to return then you will be charged the cost of its replacement.
Returned books must not be replaced on the ordinary shelves but should be placed on the shelves provided under the issues computer in the entrance hall. If you want to use a book that is awaiting shelving then please ask a member of staff to process it for you. We will inform you by letter of any books you have which are overdue for return. Please return or renew the books promptly. If you persistently refuse to return books you will be charged for their replacement.
The full catalogue display for a book in Christ Church will let you find out which reader currently has it on loan. If you require a book that is currently on loan then please ask a member of staff to reserve it for you. You will be notified when the book is returned to the Library.
Photocopies of Library materials can be requested from the staff using the forms to be found on the lecterns in the East and West Libraries and on the noticeboard next to the OxLIP terminal in the entrance hall. There is no self-service photocopying available in the Library. Copying will be charged to your battels bill at the rate of 7p per A4 sheet. Please note the copyright restrictions on photocopying, as outlined in the college Information and regulations booklet. Library staff can advise on the interpretation of these statutory regulations, but ultimately you are liable in any case of breach of copyright.
There are toilets through the door at the far end of the entrance hall underneath the stairs to the Upper Library. The working Library on the ground floor is reserved for college members only. Members may not bring friends into these rooms nor borrow books on their behalf.
College members may take a small number of guests into the Upper Library on Monday mornings and Friday afternoons (except Friday of 8th Week) and at other times during the week by prior arrangement. Please ask the member of staff at the front desk, as you will need to sign the visitors' book.
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