Bodleian opening hours extended
By Alis Lewis
Opening hours have been extended in the Old Bodleian Library and the Radcliffe Camera, with both buildings now to be open on Sundays during term time.
In an email sent from OUSU President David J Townsend to students, he said there had been “some concern over changes to library provision in Oxford lately”, leading OUSU to discuss some of these concerns with Dr Sarah Thomas, the Bodleian Librarian
In the same email, Dr Sarah Thomas said that “the highest priority for [students] is extended opening hours”, and that that “thanks to the savings [achieved] through the relocation of the History Faculty Library from the Old Indian Institute to the Radcliffe Camera, we shall be able to open both the Camera and the Old Bodleian on Sundays during term time.”
It is estimated that savings from the relocation of the History Faculty Library total approximately £100,000 annually, with this sum being allocated to the purchase of books, journals and extended Sunday opening hours.
Dr Sarah Thomas, said: “’Students have asked for longer opening hours, and we are pleased that we can use our space more efficiently and increase our services this way. We’re also adding new seats to the Camera.
“The combination of these improvements will increase flexible use of these iconic buildings.”
David J Townsend, President of OUSU, welcomed the changes, saying: “Students have been asking for longer library opening hours, and Sunday opening in particular, for donkey’s years. Longer opening hours is a big win for students.”
PHOTO/Jonathan Billinger
Josh will be angry
08/08/2012 at 22:02
The Rad Cam has been open on Sundays for the past year. Also, what happened to the no rad cams in the paper rule? I miss that rule.
Le sigh.
17/08/2012 at 16:03
This is embarrassing that the OUSU president doesn’t even know that the progress spoken of – Rad Cam’s Sunday openings – is not progress at all since it was open on Sundays for the entire last year. At least if you’re going to spend precious time negotiating for longer opening hours, you might want to have known the current opening hours. OUSU, please do your job better.
Le sigh redux.
17/08/2012 at 16:05
Furthermore, how is that the reporter doesn’t remark on the fact? What kind of reporting is this?