Using the Sainsbury Library

Admission

  • Access requirements: you will need a Saïd Business School swipe card to enter the library.  
  • We are pleased to offer limited study spaces to University members who are not members of SBS. These are available during both University term and vacation times on a first-come, first-served basis.  
  • Bodleian Reader card holders may access the library during University vacation periods only.
  • All non-SBS members must report to the building's reception desk with a valid University of Oxford card or Bodleian Reader card. The reception team will verify your eligibility and issue you a library access card for the day. Please note:
    • You will be required to complete a digital visitor form and leave one form of ID at reception in exchange for the library access card.
    • The card is only valid for the day of issue while the building is open (Monday to Friday, 9am to 11pm). Please return the card by 11pm promptly to the building’s reception desk.  
  • If this is your first visit to the Sainsbury Library and you require an induction, please speak to staff at the library enquiry desk during staffed hours. 
  • Materials delivered from Bodleian Offsite Storage can only be consulted within the library’s staffed opening hours.  
  • If materials are only available at or delivered to the Sainsbury Library, Bodleian Reader card holders may request access to the library during University term times by emailing library@sbs.ox.ac.uk to arrange an exemption. 
  • If you are not a member of the University, find out more about how to apply for a Bodleian Reader card.

General information

Rules

The Bodleian Libraries Regulations and Rules of Conduct apply in this library.

Layout

The Sainsbury Library is spread over two floors.

  • Books with the location Lower can be found on the lower floor of the library.
  • Books marked Annexe are in a side room called the Library Annexe on the lower floor.
  • Books marked Stack are on the upper floor.

Lower floor

On the lower floor you can find:

  • Books that are on SBS reading lists
  • PCs and Macs for SBS members
  • Docking stations
  • Two Bodleian PCs, one with Bloomberg access
  • Individual study seats and café-style tables which can be used for quiet group work

Conversation is allowed on the lower floor but should be kept to a low volume. Phone/video calls must be taken outside the library.

Upper floor

The upper floor has:

  • Individual study seats
  • PCs, iMacs and docking stations

It is reserved for silent study, in consideration of those who require a quiet workspace. Students are asked to have their phones on silent when in that part of the library and to leave the area when taking any incoming calls.