Ruskin College Library

All Ruskin College students are entitled to use the College Library which has some 40,000 volumes, over 150 journals and 16 networked computers. The Library’s electronic journals can be accessed from any Internet-connected computer – on site or off – using passwords. These journals and the Library catalogues can be reached via the Library’s section of the College’s Intranet.

The College Library holds broad collections relating directly to all the courses taught in the College, especially English studies, history, politics, economics, sociology, social work, women's studies, trade union studies and industrial relations. There is an extensive collection of historic pamphlets, arranged in subject order. In addition, the library holds DVDs, CDs and audiotapes of drama, literature and related subjects.

The Library consists of a :

• Lending Library, with the main book collections, where staff are available to help on Library matters
• Reference Library - open 24 hours a day in term-time, via a coded entrance door. This holds the main journals collections, and is for quiet study
• Several stack areas with older books, journals and the McColl/Seeger archive of folk-song and protest music

Most students have a limit of ten loans, which are for one week, renewable by email or telephone as well as in person, unless reserved by another reader. All loans must be returned or renewed by the end of each term, and should not be passed on to another student.

A photocopier and scanners are available in the Library, and magnifiers for readers who need them. There are also CD and video players for use in the Library.

The College Intranet contains a substantial section of Library information, news and announcements, and much else, including lists of useful websites.

Arrangements are made at the beginning of every course for students to attend admissions sessions for membership of the Bodleian Library. Ruskin students can also use many other Libraries in Oxford, including some of the Faculty Libraries of the University.

Readers with issues concerning Library services or stocks are invited to consult the Librarian, Valerie Moyses, who will do her utmost to resolve them.

Visiting Scholars and Researchers 
 

We have to ask visiting scholars to make arrangements in advance for their visits, or we may not be able to give them the help or the space they need.

First, please telephone or email the Director of Library and Learning Resources to check if this Library has the materials you expect. Then you will be asked for written references from research supervisors or others.

If we think we can help you, an appointment will be made for a time when we shall be fully staffed, preferably in the College’s vacation.

Visitors are warned that they will not be able to get access to the College’s computers, and will have to bring with them any laptops or scanners they may require. Photocopying may be done with purchased copying cards, available from College Reception.