The University of Oxford has over 100 libraries. I have not come anywhere near having gone in all of them but living the studious (somewhat sad) life that we do, my friends and I delight in trying to visit as many different ones as possible during term time. So far I have only been to about 15 of them so I have a long way to go in the next 2 and a bit years but here are my thoughts and feelings about some of them so far.
View of the RadCam from the Bod - taken whilst trying to procrastinate my work
1. The RadCam - 4/10
Starting off strong with Oxford's most iconic library: the circular Radcliffe Camera. I have only actually worked in here once and that was pretty much straight out of freshers' week because if I'm being honest the place scares me.
Pros:
Very Pretty
Makes you feel like you have to study hard
All round quite cool
Cons:
So quiet you feel the need not to breathe
Intimidating
Always very full
2. The Bod - 6/10
The Bodleian Library located next to the RadCam is big, impressive and almost always full! I have a personal preference for the upper reading room over the lower, not sure why but that's something I decided in my first term and have stuck to since. The Bod is a trusty place to go when I need to get work done as its in close proximity to Teddy and feels important enough that you really do have to work when you're in there. The issues (sometimes a pro, sometimes a con) is that you are almost guaranteed to see someone you know.
Pros:
Lots of windows
Nice view of the RadCam
Lots of paintings to stare at if you're looking for a distraction
Cons:
Always annoyingly warm
Very busy on a weekday afternoon
Water fountain is in the bathroom which is a little odd
3. The Glink - 8/10
Used to hate it, now I love it, the Gladstone link is the underground library joining the RadCam to the Bod. Whilst it does feel a little like you are in an airport or an episode of Star Trek I have grown to very much enjoy working down there. It is actually a collaborative library so although it may still feel illegal you are actually allowed to talk, not that that tends to help my productivity.
Pros:
Much less scary that other libraries
Mostly quite empty
You can talk
Cons:
No windows
A lot of artificial lighting
Bit weird that you are underground
Some questionable rumors about the place on Oxfess
4. VH - 9/10
An elite library and definitely a favourite amongst my friends the Vere Harmsworth library in the American Institute (which is currently also acting as the RSL) is always a great place to work. Whilst at the moment is it covered in scaffolding which makes you feel like you are entering a building site and the librarians are always very picky about having to have your coffee in a keep cup there are many pros to this place.
Pros:
Very open and airy
Range of different types of desks to work out
The cool buttons to automatically open the windows
Right opposite the Earth Science department so very handy
If I ever loose a certain one of my friends I will almost always find her in here
Cons:
Very loud when it rains
Often very cold
Sometimes very busy
5. Social Science Library - 6/10
The SSL is another favourite amongst my friends and is a nice place to go after lectures because if I have to go to the library at least this one is on the way home.
Pros:
Very bright and open
Nice little coffee/lunch spot above it
People always get away with eating in here
Can almost always find somewhere to sit
Open till 7pm on a Sunday
Cons:
Wifi doesn't tend to work if you sit right by the windows in the purple seats
The floor is really loud when people walk which is annoying and also makes you feel self conscious
Kick you out 20 minutes before they say they are closing!
6. Law Library - 6/10
The law library is a bit of a marmite situation from people I have spoken to. You either love it or you hate it. Personally I really like the vibes. The pods are a no go for me because if there is no one around to make me feel bad for scrolling through tiktok then that is what I will do so its the main floor that I usually end up on.
Pros:
Always lots of seats
Immaculate vibes when it is raining on the sky lights
Lots of different seating options
Cons:
Very very quiet
Sometimes the lack of people is a weird one
For some reason everyone talks really loud at the reception desk
The toilets are really hard to find the first time you go there, same goes for the water fountain
7. The Taylorian - 2/10 (personal experience)
I ventured in here once when my friend and I decided we wanted to mix it up but there were no seats available so I am yet to actually study in here. Rumor has it you have to get there at 9am on the dot if you want a decent seat.
Pros:
Quite a cool building
Great of you get one of the good seats
Cons:
Never any seats!
8. Teddy Library
Teddy library is my college (St Edmund Hall) library and is situated in an old church building in the middle of a graveyard. I think this is very cool. Whilst its usually impossible to find a seat during exam period its a nice vibes library and there will always be a friendly face around.
Pros:
Open 24/7 which is great for a Sunday evening
Stained glass windows
Most books I need are here and easy to find
Ideal to pop too after college lunch
Cons:
Don't always want to be surrounded by everyone I know
Gets boring once you have gone loads of times
Can be very busy
9. Earth Science Library
The Earth Science Department library is actually one of my faves. Always empty, good amount of windows and has all the books I could possibly need ever.
Pros:
Always seats available
Has blankets with dinosaurs on you can borrow
Nice and close to the department vending machine
Cons: Can't go with people who don't do Earth Science
Sometimes you don't want to spend all hours of your day in the same department
10. Weston
I have only actually been into the rare manuscript section of Weston when trying to source some maps for our mapping project. Ngl it's a scary one. You have to leave your bags in a locker at the entrance and only one of us was allowed to look at the map at a time but the common room area is very nice.
Pros:
You feel very important
Cons:
Its scary
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