Bodleian Art, Archaeology, and Ancient World Library

The door leading to the break room from the lobby

The corner of the break room, with a comfy chair and a potted plant

The other side of the break room, containing a table, a comfy chair with a cushion on it, and a bookshelf

🪴Our new break room is officially open🪴

It's a little bare-bones right now, but we'll be sprucing it up over the next few months - and you can help!

Let us know what you would like to see in there, either in the comments below or in-person!

Several books about pop art on a shelf, with shelfmarks beginning "918.46"

Several books about pop art on a shelf, with shelfmarks beginning "N6494.P5"

We heard it's National Pop Art Day!

Far beyond soup cans and comic books, Pop art is one of the most easily recognisable post-war art movements, characterised by bold colours and images from mass culture.

You can learn more on the second floor!

Several books about Archaeology and Classics on a shelf. They have yellow slips sticking out of them.

Several books about Art on a shelf. They have yellow slips sticking out of them.

Happy Monday!

Our new book display this week features Medieval Winchester, colour science, and Giambattista Piranesi.

📚Library Reminder📚

If you're hanging on to any Vac Loans, they're due back today!

An array of multicoloured books arranged on a display cabinet.

Let's break up #BlueMonday with a pop of colour!

Head to the ground floor to check out "Pigments of the Imagination: Art and Archaeology from across the colour spectrum"

A wooden door with "lockers" written above it, and two signs on it. The first reads "Locker room will be out of use for contractor work. Please be aware that we might need to cordon the area at times. Please speak to Lodge staff if you have any concerns about storage of possessions during this time." The second reads, "This Locker Room is no longer in use in preparation of being repurposed as a break room in the next few weeks. All the contents of the lockers will be removed and disposed by Friday 23rd January 2026 if not claimed."

Exciting news: we're getting a break room!

Over the next few weeks we'll be repurposing our locker room into a comfortable area where you can have food and drinks without having to hover in the lobby.

If you have questions or comments, feel free to leave them below!

A photo of the Art Library courtyard. The leaves on the central tree are yellow, and the sun is just hitting the top of the building.

It's the first Noughth week of 2026!

We have some exciting library updates coming up this term, so stay tuned...

Four cushioned chairs and a table next to a bookshelf with journals on. There are windows behind two of the chairs, shining light onto the area.

We have a new comfy seating area on the second floor!

If you need to take a break from your desk, pop yourself down next to the Art Journal display, and relax 🛋️

(it's still not an eating area though - sorry!)

The interior of the Art Library lobby, angled up at the skylight. Through it you can see an icy blue sky with a few clouds.

Welcome back for the first full week of 2026!

We have plenty of space if you're looking to get out of the cold in the run-up to Hilary term ❄️

A photo of the Art Library Courtyard. There is a tree in the middle, the leaves of which have gone yellow with the cold.

❄️Quick reminder that we close for Vacation at 5pm today❄️

Make sure to borrow or return any books you need for the holidays, because your next chance will be on 2nd January next year!

Happy holidays from the Art Library team!

A green container with "sub fusc collection point" written on the front. It is the same height as the self-issue machine, which it has been placed next to.

Doing a bit of early spring cleaning? We now have a sub fusc donation point!

Feel free to drop off robes, mortar boards, bow ties and ribbons, so they can be washed and given a new home!

Personally we're big fans of our watercolour!

(Although Santa will need to leave that sack in the locker room if it's larger than a standard backpack)

Books about The Art and Archaeology of Eating Drinking and Being Merry arranged on a table, with fairy lights shaped like fruit interwoven around them.

That's a wrap on another Michaelmas term!

Before you head home for the holidays, why not have a look at our festive display; "The Art and Archaeology of Eating Drinking and Being Merry"?

We also have an accompanying blog post if you want more detail, just follow the link in our bio!

A Christmas-themed poster that reads: Vacation loans: From Monday 1st December all loans from the CLASSICS LENDING LIBRARY ONLY will be due back on Tuesday 20th January. All other loans will have their standard loan period. Please check due dates before taking books home for the vacation.

❄️Vac loans are here again!❄️

From today all loans from the CLASSICS LENDING LIBRARY ONLY will be due back on Tuesday 20th January.

All other loans will have their standard loan period.

Please check due dates before taking books home for the vacation.

🥰

🦇 Happy Halloween! 🦇

This brilliantly spooky take on our student animation project comes from t0bbz (instagram.com/_t0bbz_) and was inspired by a tiny bat-shaped ojime.

🦇 Ojime bead in the form of a bat, Japan, late 19th century. 2.3cm. EA1956.3749

The issue desk area of the Art Library, decorated with paper pumpkins, bats, and ghosts.

🎃We're all done up for Halloween!🎃

But please don't be fooled by our spooky decor - the library assistants at the issue desk aren't scary, and we're always happy to help!

We at the Art Library approve this message! (and you're welcome for the bug PNGs)

Several journals about the Ancient World arranged on a desk

Several journals about art arranged on a display shelf.

They've been away for a few years, but our New Journals displays are finally back!

You can find them on the first and second floors, containing the newest issues of our most popular periodicals 📚

A large wicker basket filled with olive green blankets, placed underneath a sign that reads "Feeling chilly? Help yourself to one of our blankets, and return it when you leave"

We've listened to your feedback!

The Art Library can get pretty chilly in winter, so we've put some blankets by the entrance for you to take to your study space of choice.

Please return it when you leave, and let us know what you think in the comments, or our suggestions box!

The freshers really do keep getting younger every year! We don't usually allow dogs, but he looks like a diligent student so we can make an exception 🥺

The freshers really do keep getting younger every year! We don't usually allow dogs, but he looks like a diligent student so we can make an exception 🥺

A photo of the lobby doors in the Art Library. A sign next to them lists the induction tour start times.

Today is your last day to take an induction tour in Michaelmas term!

You can book on via our website, or just drop in - tours start in the lobby at 10:30, 11:30, 2:00, 3:00, and 4:00.

A collection of books about black art, culture, history, and archaeology, arranged on an antique desk.

This Black History Month we're celebrating black culture from across our collections!

Check out our new display: "Standing in Power and Pride" on the ground floor!

A multi-coloured suggestion box with cute doodles of stars and animals on it. There is a sign pointing to a slot in the top that reads: "Please place feedback in the whimsy cube", and there are pens and slips of paper on the table in front of it.

Our first day of tours is done, and we want your feedback!

Is there something you wish we spent more time talking about? Anything we could have skipped?

Do you think your guide's jumper was cool and just want to pay a compliment?

Let us know by popping a note in the Whimsy Cube!

Banned Books Week UK - Index on Censorship Banned Books Week UK returns from 5–11 October 2025. It’s a week to celebrate the books that have been challenged, removed or silenced

This week is #BannedBooksWeekUK. Join @indexoncensorship.org to celebrate the books that have been challenged, removed or silenced, and to stand with the people who write, sell and lend them. Celebrate the freedom to read.

A photo of the front doors of the Art Library, which are made from heavy wood and glass, with columns on either side.

Happy Noughth Week!

The Art Library team are excited to welcome all the new faces coming to Oxford this year, and say welcome back to those returning!

Don't forget to sign up for our induction tours, running for the next two weeks:
www.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/ask/getting-...

A poster framed with a blue border. It reads as follows: Welcome to the Art, Archaeology, and Ancient World Library (or Art Library, for short) Induction tours: During 0th and 1st Week, we will be running welcome tours to help you get acquainted with our layout, systems, and facilities. Meet in the Art Library lobby: Wednesday-Friday of 0th week (8th-10th October) Monday-Tuesday of 1st Week (13th-14th October) The tours will last around 20 minutes each, and run throughout the day You can book onto a tour in advance, by visiting this page: Getting started: Undergraduates and taught postgraduates | Bodleian Libraries (ox.ac.uk) Booking early is advised, and you can book as soon as you have your University card number and Oxford email address. Questions? Queries? email us at: artlib-enquiries@bodleian.ox.ac.uk You can also keep up to date with us on Bluesky and Twitter https://bsky.app/profile/bodartlib.bsky.social https://x.com/bodartlib

📣Library News📣

We'll be running induction tours for the next couple of weeks, so you can get acquainted (or re-acquainted) with our layout and systems for the coming year.

We can't wait to see you all there!

And we like your poetry display table!

In the run-up to Michaelmas term, we wanted to spread the word about these handy 30-minute webinars!

The sessions will introduce you to the Bodleian Libraries, and show how we can help you get the most out of your degree.

www.new.ox.ac.uk/bodleian-lib...