Information skills workshops
The Bodleian continues to offer free information skills workshops to members of the University. These workshops feature courses specifically designed for students, researchers and staff in MSD, covering topics such as literature searching, science communication, systematic reviews, conference posters and reference management software. Sign up today.
Wellbeing
The Bodleian Health Care Libraries offer a range of small but meaningful ways to support the wellbeing of readers.
- Poetry Pharmacy: Step into the Cairns Library and prescribe yourself a poem. Our curated selection of poetry, located in the library’s comfy seating area, offers something for every mood.
- Games: Many of our libraries provide Scrabble, Sudoku, colouring and other activities — perfect for a short mental break.
- Music: The Cairns Library at the John Radcliffe Hospital has a silent piano, available to play 24/7 with no booking required. Headphones and sheet music are provided, so you can simply turn up and play.
- Reading for pleasure: Most of our libraries have a small collection of novels and other non-medical books, offering a welcome change of pace from academic texts.
Visit our wellbeing page for more information. The library would love to hear what you think about their wellbeing activities. Please email your feedback or ideas for new activities to hcl-enquiries@bodleian.ox.ac.uk
Group study rooms
Looking for a private study space for a meeting or conference call? The Cairns Library at the John Radcliffe Hospital Academic Centre has five rooms, all of which are available to members of the University to book and use 24/7/365. Book online or in-person at the library. We also have bookable spaces at our Knowledge Centre (Old Road Campus) and Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre libraries.
Book Clubs
The Bodleian Health Care Libraries run free book clubs at the JR and Horton General, and all MSD staff and students are welcome to attend.
The next book club meetings will be:
- Monday 9 March – ‘The Everlasting’ by Alix E. Harrow (JR)
- Tuesday 17 March – ‘Iron Widow’ by Xiran Jay Zhao (Horton)
Meetings are usually once a month on the third Monday of each month (excluding February and March 2026).
For the JR book club, you can attend either:
In-person 12:00-1:00pm in the Beeson Room at the Cairns Library (Level 3, Academic Centre, JR Hospital)
Online via Teams or 1:00-2:00pm
The same book will be discussed at both sessions, so you will not be missing out by joining remotely. Visit the library’s events calendar for more information and to sign up.