Using the Sainsbury Library

Admission

Who can access the Sainsbury Library?

You will need a Saïd Business School access card to enter the Sainsbury Library.

  • We are pleased to offer a limited number of study spaces to University members who are not members of Saïd Business School. These are available during both University term and vacation times on a first-come, first-served basis.
  • Please report to the building's reception desk with a valid University of Oxford card. The reception team will verify your eligibility and issue you a library access card for the day.
  • Bodleian Reader card holders may access the library during University vacation only.
  • If materials are only available at, or deliverable 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 exception.
  • Find out more about how to apply for a Bodleian Reader card.
  • Please report to the building's reception desk with a valid Bodleian Reader card. The reception team will verify your eligibility and issue you a library access card for the day.

Library access cards

  • You will be required to complete a digital visitor form and leave your University or Bodleian Reader card 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 – Sunday, 9am – 11pm, excluding some bank holidays and scheduled closure days). Please return the card by 11pm to the building’s reception desk.
  • An access card for using the library lift is available from the reception desk.
  • If you would like an induction to the Sainsbury Library, please speak to a member of staff at the enquiry desk during staffed hours. Watch our welcome video.

General information

Rules

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 Annexe on the lower floor.
  • Books marked Upper Reading Room (Stack) are on the upper floor.

Lower floor

The lower floor has:

  • 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
  • Docking stations

The upper floor 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.