Library

Many reading lists have now been made available via ORLO, which can provide links to scanned chapters from books. Please bear in mind that not all reading lists are yet available via ORLO.

Additional information and links on individual academic disciplines are available via the LibGuides for each subject. Other links to specialist research materials, and tips and tools for those undertaking academic research, are available in additional research guides.  

SOLO

The fundamental resource for accessing the University’s information resources. Use SOLO to search for physical and electronic items, articles and other e-resources.

Digital Bodleian

Search and explore the Bodleian's collections on Digital Bodleian, with over 900,000 images of c.16,000 collection items.

E-books

Access over 1.4 million e-books via SOLO. Filter results by “Available Online” to restrict searches to electronic resources – look for the green Online access icon for those that are accessible outside the Bodleian’s reading rooms. Note: a red Online access icon denotes electronic copies of publications received under Legal Deposit copyright legislation. Due to a cyber-attack on the British Library (which manages these resources), these items are currently inaccessible.

There is more information on accessing e-books on the e-books LibGuide.

E-journals

Access to over 118,000 e-journal titles is available via SOLO. Filter results by Online Resources to show resources that can be accessed offsite – look for the green Online Access icon for items that can be accessed outside the Bodleian reading rooms. As in the case of e-books, red Online access icons denote electronic items received under Legal Deposit legislation. These items are currently inaccessible due to the cyber-attack on the British Library.

Databases

Access over 1,300 databases across a broad range of subject areas. Visit Databases A-Z or search via SOLO.

Borrowing

Almost all books in the Library, unless marked ‘Confined’ or ‘Not to be Taken Away’, may be borrowed. Books should be borrowed using the self-issue machine in the Library Reception. Please contact a member of staff if you need any help with this.

Borrowing entitlements for St Peter's students are as follows:

• Undergraduates and Visiting Students: 15 volumes at any one time. The standard loan period is 28 days. All books issued in term are due for return not later than Thursday of 8th week. The loan period is progressively foreshortened to allow for this. Books may be borrowed for the entire period of the subsequent Vacation from the Monday of 8th week.
• Postgraduates: 15 volumes at any one time. The standard loan period is 56 days, both in Term and Vacation.

Renewing

Books already on loan may be renewed, provided that they have not been already requested by another member of the College.

There are two ways in which books may be renewed. Either, reissue the books on the self-issue machine, or renew them using the renewal facility which may be accessed through SOLO. To renew books using SOLO, you will first need to sign in using the button at the top right of the screen.  

Once signed in, you can access a list of your loans (for all the institutions which use the system, including St Peter's).  You can check what you have borrowed, when items are due for return, and can renew College books provided that they have not been requested by another College member. Remember: if your books are overdue, you will not be able to renew them yourself. If you have problems trying to renew your books, or if they are already overdue, please contact Library staff who may be able to help.

Returning

Books for return should be placed in the Book Return Bins in the Library Reception, or handed to a member of Library staff. If books are not returned on time, a charge will be made at the rate of 20p per day for each overdue resource.