The Library at All Souls College is, like all Oxford college libraries, an independent institution. Unlike most other college libraries, however, the Library supports researchers from other colleges, the University of Oxford, and other institutions.
From September 2025, the Library has reopened applications for new Readers for the new academic year 2025-26. Any current member of the University of Oxford is welcome to apply to be a Library Reader by filling out an application form.
Researchers and students from other academic institutions, and independent researchers, are also welcome to apply to be Readers. If you do not have a University of Oxford affiliation, please email reader.services@all-souls.ox.ac.uk for the link to the appropriate Reader application form.
The Library will reopen to registered Readers for Michaelmas term on Tuesday 14th October 2025.
Our Michaelmas opening hours will be Tuesday-Thursday, 10am to 5pm. The Library will be CLOSED on Mondays and Fridays. The Library is not open on weekends.
Requests for in-person appointments to see special collections material (early printed books, manuscripts, archival materials, maps, etc.) require a minimum of two weeks’ advance notice (ten working days) and, depending on the complexity of the requests and the condition of the materials, may require longer.
Please email special.collections@all-souls.ox.ac.uk to arrange for an appointment (please include bibliographic information and/or references, and your availability).
Requests for images of special collections materials are currently taking around two working weeks to process, depending on availability and item condition, but Library Staff aim to fulfil requests as soon as possible. Please complete the image request form or email special.collections@all-souls.ox.ac.uk for further information.
A significant section of the Library’s special collections is not accessible due to building work. Library Staff will alert anyone requesting an appointment as soon as possible if an item is not available. If images for the item already exist, Library Staff will be happy to supply them. Otherwise, requests for appointments and images will be put in a queue until the items are available.
Registered Readers who wish to continue using the Library must renew their access every academic year, but do not need to reapply:
- For those Readers with a University of Oxford affiliation, please click here for the renewal form. Please note that you will need to be signed in with your Oxford SSO (Single Sign On) to access the form.
- For those Readers without a current University of Oxford affiliation, please click here for the renewal form.
Readers who have received a new Bodleian/University card will need to book an appointment for their card to be added to the Library’s door access system.
Most recent post:
Walter Morgan's Service in the Low Countries, by Niki Carter
The most recent additions to the Library's digital resource site include MS 38: a fifteenth century Life of Henry V, with fragments of an Anglo-Saxon grammar.
Spotlight: The Wren Drawings
After the death of Sir Christopher Wren's son, the College acquired almost half of the extant drawings, representing the full spectrum of Wren's career, including work for the church, the crown, and the universities.