Christ Church Library for Students and Staff
The College Library is open to members of College for study space, browsing, borrowing, and returns, and access the printer/copier/scanner daily from 8:00am to 1:00am. For help and enquiries please email library@chch.ox.ac.uk.
From Monday 10th January, the opening hours will be 8.00am - 1.00am daily.
Library staff are happy to assist with any enquiries via library@chch.ox.uk.
Library rules
- The Library is for use by current members of Christ Church only. You must not let non-members accompany or follow you into the Library. Books cannot be borrowed on behalf of non-members of College and other students should not use your Bodleian card or account to borrow books. The account holder will be held responsible for all books and fines on their account. If you wish to show the Library to friends or family, please ask permission from the librarians before you bring guests inside to avoid disturbing other students.
- The Library is a space for silent study. Please show respect for your peers by keeping noise to a minimum. Phones should be on silent and phone calls taken outside the Library building.
- Books must not be removed from the Library without being checked out. If the alarm sounds, go back and try the self-issue machine again
- Students are responsible for loans on their accounts. Charges will be incurred for overdue, lost or damaged items. A fine of 25p per overdue book accumulates daily. More than 10 overdue books or £50.00 in fines will automatically block your Christ Church Library account, which will prevent you from borrowing or renewing books. Please speak to a member of staff if this happens.
- Desks must be kept clear when not in use. You may not reserve a desk or leave personal belongings unattended. They will be removed by the Library team to allow for cleaning.
- No food and drink in the Library, except for bottled water, or hot or cold drinks in KeepCups. No alcohol is permitted in the Library.
- Smoking and vaping are not permitted anywhere in College.
Using the Library safely
- All Library users are required to wear a face covering properly at all times in the Library, including when sitting at a desk (unless exempt).
- Please scan the NHS Test and Trace QR code displayed at each workspace.
- Please wash or sanitise your hands frequently.
- Please sanitise and clean your own study space before and after each use. Hand sanitiser and wipes for cleaning shared surfaces are provided.
- Please do not move any furniture, join a friend at their desk or gather in groups of any size inside the Library.
- Wrap up warmly as the weather gets colder as windows are open to allow good ventilation.
Library study space
- Study spaces are available in the West and East Library wings on a first-come-first-served basis on a daily basis from 8:00am to 1:00am.
- You do not need to pre-book to visit the Library but do bring your Bodleian card with you.
Browsing
- You are welcome to browse the shelves. Please ask staff for help if you cannot find an item.
- Please sanitise your hands before and after browsing.
Finding your books
SOLO is the online catalogue for Oxford’s libraries. SOLO can be accessed by clicking here. Learn how to navigate SOLO and filter down to Christ Church Library collections via this slightly more accessible version of instructions which are available here.
Christ Church Library now organizes books on the shelf according to the Library of Congress, or LC, Classification System, but a legacy Roman numeral scheme is still in operation. Since the LC classification system organizes books by subject, it is possible to browse the shelves and find similar books together. Every book in the Library has a classmark printed on a label on the spine.
The West Library also contains Very Short Introductions covering a variety of topics, a welfare and study skills section, and a small DVD collection. A map of the East Library and West Library can be found here or on the doors to the reading rooms.
Please ask at the front desk for books that are located in the Basement according to SOLO. These items are stored offsite. On a case by case we will assess if a book retrieval is possible.
Library staff are happy to help if you have problems finding the books you need.
Borrowing
Undergraduates can borrow up to 20 items for 2 weeks during term, or for a full vacation. Postgraduates can borrow a maximum of 40 items for 1 term or vacation. College staff may borrow books for a fortnight. Tutors can borrow for up to a year (all books will be due by the end of the 10th week of Trinity Term). However, if you are in the Library, you can request an item on the spot, or you can collect this from the shelves yourself as browsing is now available. Come to the front desk with your Bodleian card and a list of the shelfmarks which you require written clearly (i.e. PA 3009 HOR 2018; XI.3.56D). Remember the item has to show available on SOLO in order for us to be able to fetch this and add it to your library account. Reference only material cannot be borrowed (books with a red dot on the spine).
Vacation loans begin on Friday 8th week and last until Wednesday 1st week of the following term.
Books can be renewed up to 4 times at the self-service machine or by signing into SOLO. Please check your account regularly to avoid fines when the loans expire, and take care of the books while they are on loan to you. You can get in touch if you encounter any problems by emailing library@chch.ox.ac.uk. If we do not hear back from you about long overdue loans you will be battled the item’s replacement cost plus a £10 administrative fee. The same applies if you have lost a book or an item has suffered considerable damage while in your custody.
If you require extended loans, or any other help due to a disability please write to Gabriel, our College Librarian in confidence. This will only apply to Christ Church Library, to request extended loans at the Bodleian Libraries please fill out their electronic forms.
Returns
Books can be returned to the College Library anytime during our opening hours (daily between 8am-1am).
Please use the self-issue kiosk found in the entrance hall of the Library main building. Once items have been returned through the machine please place these in the space available underneath.
Holds and recalls
If you need a book which is already out of loan you can sign in to SOLO and click ‘Request’ by the location details of the book. This means that the book will be reserved for you when it is returned. If you need it urgently a member of staff can recall the item so it is returned within three days. In both cases you will receive an email notifying you when the book is ready for collection.
Book suggestions
If the Library does not have a copy of a textbook on your reading list, if it is missing or if there are not enough copies of a set text then please suggest it for purchase. We encourage you to complete an online Book Purchase Request form.
Ebooks and eresources
You can check what ebooks, ejournals and databases are already available online using SOLO (sign in to get more search results). Resources with a green ‘Online access’ button allow remote access.
If you can’t find an ebook you need, please email the College Librarian and we will look into purchasing access for you if possible.
Scanning and printing
A wireless multifunctional printer/copier/scanner is available in the entrance hall of the main Library building. Print jobs can be sent from Library PCs or from your own devices. To print visit the link https://print.chch.ox.ac.uk and login via your Single Sign On. Upload the documents you want to print then at the printer select 'Papercut' and tap your Bodleian library card on the sensor. Your documents will then appear and can be printed. You can print in mono, colour, single and double sided on A3 and A4 paper.
An additional printer can be found on the ground floor of Peckwater building, staircase 9.
Group study spaces
There are several rooms throughout college which can be booked as group study spaces. To make a booking please contact The Tutor's Administrator.
Special Collections
Access to Christ Church Special Collections is available on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Opening hours: 10.30 am-1 pm; 2.30-4.30 pm (provided there is a member of staff available in the Upper Library). All visits are by prior appointment. Please contact us to make an appointment at least two working days in advance of your proposed visit.
To contact the Keeper of Special Collections, please telephone or email:
cristina.neagu@chch.ox.ac.uk
Tel: 01865 276 265
To contact the College Librarian please telephone or email:
gabriel.sewell@chch.ox.ac.uk
Tel: 01865 276263
To contact the Archives, please telephone or email:
archives@chch.ox.ac.uk
Tel: 01865 276171
