The Bodleian Library is the main library for Oxford University. It is the second largest libray in…read moreEngland - second only to the British Library. Unfortunately it is is closed on Sunday which was our only day in Oxford. Consequently we weren't able to see the inside or take a tour of the library and got to see the exterior only. The architecture is magnificant and even the exterior is worth seeing.

What an amazing experience! We had a tour of the Bodleian Libraries, and it was by far the…read morehighlight of our trip to Oxford. The rich history of the library was captivating, and the stunning architecture of the buildings was not to miss. Natasha, our tour guide, was an absolute gem! She guided us through the majestic halls and took us behind the scenes, explaining the lavish history along the way, always with a warm smile. Her enthusiasm for the library was palpable, and her extensive knowledge made the tour even more fascinating. One of the highlights was seeing the Duke Humfrey's library. Such a beautiful and historic building with crests of the University of Oxford covering the ceiling, and Kings, Queens, and Bishops along the aisles. The Radcliffe Camera and The Divinity Schools were not to miss as well. I highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting Oxford.

Oxfordshire's Record Office is an essential port of call for those researching their family trees…read moreand other topics relating to Oxfordshire's past. The archive has documents from 1150 to the present day, including census records for the area from 1841 to 1901, and Parish records. Records relate to both the current and the old boundaries of Oxfordshire, so include part of Berkshire. They also have an extensive catalogue of items searchable via the internet. The collection is housed in the former church of St Luke, providing a magnificent setting, and a real contrast to the normal small council offices: the reading room is actually the former nave, with the grandeur to match. It also makes it easy to find! There is a modern entrance in Temple Road with a reception, a small coffee shop (although you can also bring your own food) and the usual lockers to put your belongings bags etc are not allowed in the search room. If you need to use a micro-film reader, these should be booked in advance, although quite a lot of Oxfordshire's Parish Registers seem to have been transcribed and typed up in the past, making this bit of the search easier. If in doubt, ring ahead (unusually, there is a small charge for booking microfilm readers they are normally free). Like all archives, they require a County Archive Research Network (CARN) ticket to access original records, but one can be arranged on the day, so long as you bring suitable photo ID, and some passport-sized photos another feature that seems to be unique to Oxford see their web-site for details. The archive It is located east of Oxford in the suburb of Cowley, although it is easy to get to: buses 5, 5A and 5B run frequently from the railway station via the City Centre, as well as bus route 1 from the City Centre only. Ask for a ticket to the 'Original Swan' a pub, which is just past the record centre itself. There are also some parking spaces at the centre (including two disabled spaces), and free parking a short walk away in Cowley town centre.

A good, well stocked central library. Has a reference section with many current UK and…read moreInternational newspapers and journals, all up to date. Has a number of drop-in 15minute computers as well as about 8, 1 hour internet access computers that you have to sit and wait for until someone finishes. If your in Oxford and need internet access its worth popping in. The usual array of books, photocopying, fax,audio/video and reference materials that youd expect from main city library.

This was my childhood haunt and now I am back 20 years later and it's almost exactly the same (the…read morechildren's library has shrunk though, surely? or am I just taller?). Friendly and efficient reception staff got me registered and carded in a flash and off I was browsing the shelves. Fiction is good, and the music library rivals the Westminster Music Library (the UK gold standard I think) but not a massive number of non-fiction books in each category. Still, if you're after a specialist subject you'll probably be going to a specialist library, won't you?

A private club, so be prepared to find a member to gain entry…read more The Union is an icon in British culture. A center of debate and public discourse, you should really try to catch a debate if you are in Oxford during term. The member's bar is an excellent perk and serves a sparse, but nice lunch during weekdays. I'm writing this review from the free wireless service, which is another nice feature (though it works better from the libraries than the bar.) Snooker tables upstairs add a nice bonus to the typical bar scene in Oxford. The Union has become my haven when I am in the busy streets of downtown Oxford. The leather seats in the bar and the relatively quiet atmosphere during the day make it a great place to relax and get work done, or bring others for a discussion or meeting. You will find yourself surrounded mostly by undergraduates, followed by a healthy mix of post-grads and faculty. The debates are similar demographics, and tend to feature diametrically opposed parties. These are not always the best debates as they often pitch opposing ideologies and simply bash assumptions against each other rather than focus on the logical systems each side is using. The student debates before the formal debates tend to hold more fine points of discussion and a bit of humor. Both are worth going to, however, and some are more compelling than others. All in all, I think the Oxford Union deserves its iconic status, and if you can, you really should make an effort to experience it. Members can bring guests for a £3 entry fee. If you are affiliated with the university, and eligible for membership, you can only be a guest 3 times before you are asked to buy your own membership.

The world-famous Oxford Union is rightly proud of its library. Of course, Oxford is full of…read morelibraries crammed with rare copies, beautiful interiors and terrifyingly intelligent academics. This fits the mould, but is a healthy mixtures of generally artsy books. In keeping with the general theme of the union, it's well-loved by law and politics students, although there's something for most subjects. It's one of the biggest libraries where you can borrow books (as opposed to sit in there and read them) in Oxford, but its use is limited to members of the Union, for which it is necessary to pay over £100. There's also a decent collection of fiction, which can be a bit lacking in college libraries. It's got books written in the past few years. The travel guides are particularly useful, although quickly outdated, as are the magazines and newspapers. They're generally quite serious magazines (although FHM has been known to make an appearancE) - more the Economist and New Scientist than Heat or Hello, and much cheaper than buying one which you'll read once. If you're not a member of the Union or the Union Society, you can still visit the library for £1.50 and it's well worth doing so to see the Pre-Raphaelite murals (1857-9) painted by Rossetti, Edward Burne-Jones and William Morris. They're all quite dramatic and mostly related to the legends of King Arthur. Don't forget to look up at the ceiling!

The Radcliffe Camera is a library that is part of Oxford Univestiy. It is not open to the public…read moreand we were able to see the exterior only. The building is beautiful and somewhat unique in appearance. it is round and it dates from the 1730's. Would have loved to see inside.

The Radcliffe Camera is a building of Oxford University, England, designed by James Gibbs in…read moreneo-classical style and built in 1737-49 to house the Radcliffe Science Library. It is located right in the heart of Oxford very close to other iconic buildings such as as the Bodelian library. It is a round domed building sitting in its own right, worthy of a view.

This is a nice local library with a fair selection of books, tapes, DVDs and internet connected…read morecomputers for which there is no charge but you may have to book a time slot. The children's section is quite large and there are plenty of small chairs to sit on. There may even be special readings for the under-5s - I'm sure there used to be. I'm a little out of touch now my children are bigger. The really great thing about this library is the garden. It is a beautifully laid out, small enclosed garden that offers you a peaceful place to sit and read or eat your lunch. It is actually the Turrill sculpture garden and has its own web site http://www.turrillsculpturegarden.org.uk/ .

Great local library with all you need including (see below)..we always recommend all our tenants to…read moreuse it. Grab a book then go to the newly opened Wine Cafe for a glass or two.isn't Summertown great! http//www.oxfordwine.co.uk/ (http//www.oxfordwine.co.uk/) Newspapers and magazines Books in other languages Audio books DVDs Music CDs Computers and Internet (book a computer (http://www.netloan.oxfordshire.gov.uk/) ) Local studies collection Photocopier Out of hours returns http://www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/cms/content/summertown-library Michael Joubert Scottfraser

Not a very well run or organised small branch library…read more Rather too many unnecessary books. Rather too many staff. Noise is out of control disturbing other readers enjoyment and experience of the whole library. Staff seem particularly 'touchy'about complaints about noisy parents and children and refuse to act on perpetrators. The twice weekly singing sessions are particularly irksome. Havent these 30 40 something parents got jobs to go to? The world doesn't pay for out of tune singing and sitting around.

The library in Abingdon is quite good considering the size of the town, and always has quite a…read morelarge selection of books. If you know specifically which book you want you can check it on the library catalogue online before you go in, and either reserve it or order it from another library if the Abingdon library doesnt have it. There are a few computers with internet access, and the library is also a good place to look for information on local courses or volunteering/jobs.