Using the Library

The library is open 24 hours every day for the members of the Hall community.  This is subject to change.  Please check the library online guide and Heritage library catalogue discovery tool page to learn the current opening times.

The Wycliffe Hall library is reserved for the use of current Hall members so access to the library is restricted to authorised readers with their own proximity card. 

Non-members who are wishing to consult items from our collections should read the guidelines below carefully.

Oxford University members:

We are happy to assist readers on a reference basis from other colleges within the University of Oxford on the following terms.

If we are the only library that holds a book which is not available anywhere else in the University, your visit will be considered with a prior appointment with the librarian.  Please bring your university card as a form of identification.  Photocopying facilities cannot be provided to these readers.

The library visiting time for non-members likely falls during the below hours.

Monday-Thursday, 9am-12pm and 2pm-4pm.

Please note that we may be closed at certain times due to various circumstance so please contact the librarian regarding the availability of resources and a visiting slot before arrival to avoid disappointment.

External visitors:

No visitors until further notice due to the pandemic. 

The library is not open to the general public or students and researchers from other institutes so it is essential to contact the librarian if you have any enquires.  External users, in special cases and particularly during vacations, may be admitted at the librarian’s discretion.

The library operates a self-circulation system.  This means its books can be borrowed and returned by using the Self-Issue/Return Terminal on the library main desk with your University card.   Please notify the librarian if your University card has been updated or your expiry date has been changed to modify your record in the library account.  

If the online circulation system is down, please email the librarian to notify the following information: accession numbers of the books(5 digits from the back cover); return or issue; and your WYCL number.     

The Library is located in an historic building without a lift so we regret that there are many steps at the entrance to the library.  Visitors with reduced mobility may find it difficult to access.  Therefore we can provide a fetching service so please communicate with the librarian to arrange this service if required.

We would appreciate that you respect the library rules at all times.

No food is permitted in the library at any time.

Water should only be in non-spill containers or bottles.  No other drink is allowed.

Mobile phones must be switched to silent.

Please be quiet to respect others using the library.

Do not mark books in any way and please treat the paperbacks gently.

Do not use Post-It notes as they are a cause of torn pages.

Please return items within the borrowing period.

Do not remove Reference books, Reserve books or Periodicals from the library.

Unrespectable behaviour towards other users, staff and librarian will not be accepted.

Please note that consistent refusal to comply with these library guidelines or requests from the librarian will result in borrowing rights being withdrawn and/or prohibition of entry to the library.