Bodleian Social Science Library: Committee on Library Provision and Strategy 2.00pm, Friday 21 February 2020

Large Discussion Room Bodleian Social Science Library

UNCONFIRMED MINUTES

1. Introductions and apologies

Present:

Academic members: James Forder (Economics, Chair), Louise Fawcett (DPIR), Lena Rose (CSLS), Marti Rovira (Sociology). Student members: Sharifah Alhinai (ODID), Dexter Docherty (DSPI), Ashrakat Elsehawy (DPIR), Fabian Krusa (Economics) Michael Leonetti (ODID), Carson Smith (CSLS). Library members: Aimee Burlakova (St Antony’s College Library), Louise Clarke (Head of Social Sciences Libraries), Jo Gardner (Bodleian Social Science Librarian, Minutes), Andy Kernot (Social Science Library), Sarah Rhodes (Social Science Library), John Southall (Social Science Library).

Apologies received:

Academic members: Rachel Condry (Centre for Criminology), Geoff Goodwin (ODID), Elizabeth Nye (DSPI). Student members: Rebecca Collins (Economics), Cecilia Corsini (DPIR), Benedikt Fritz (Economics), Taylor Grossman (DPIR), Lisa Hsin (CSLS), Victoria Hundevad (DSPI), Viola King Forbes (SoGE), Juhi Kore (DSPI), Natalie Nogueira (Centre for Criminology), Nuno Pereira (DSPI), Sila Ulucay (CSLS). Library members: Angelina Gibson (Social Sciences Libraries), Elizabeth Wells (Law Library).

2. Minutes of the last meeting and matters arising

None noted

3. Manor Road Building Minor Capital Project

3.1 Introduction

Peter Franklin Routh (Planning and Project Manager, SSD) and Emma Edmunds (Head of Space Management, Estates Services) introduced the University Minor Capital Project of £2m to refurbish the Manor Road Building (MRB), beginning in January 2021, and which will include SSL space. Project requirements will be discussed at the next MRB Management Committee meeting on 12 March 2020. The ongoing work to fix the ventilation and heating will be completed independently from this project.

Louise Fawcett asked about the furniture that was trialled recently in the MRB public areas. Peter advised her that this is a separate project coordinated by the MRB Management Committee. 1

James Forder noted that MRB-based students can also provide ideas and feedback to their departments, and Dexter Docherty recommended that a student convenes a focus group for the project.

Louise Clarke asked if there would be any recharge of capital costs for the library. ACTION: Emma Edmunds to investigate and inform Louise.

3.2 Feedback regarding improvements to library space

Jo Gardner provided some library-specific data from the two surveys that were conducted as part of the project in early Trinity Term 2019. A survey by the external company Quantarc revealed that the SSL had the highest occupancy rate (98.14%, compared to 78.45% for the whole building) and the highest utilisation rate (26.59% compared to 16.87% for the whole building) and had a ‘busy feel’ for a high proportion of the time. The study carrels had the highest utilisation rate (nearly 70%) and the laptop free zone had the lowest utilisation rate (under 10%). A JISC survey of students revealed that 48% of the respondents considered the natural light in the library to be insufficient, and comments referred to a preference for more natural light, a water fountain and more sound-proofed study carrels.

Jo reported that the library is running another survey, which closes on 1 March 2020. This comprises one question: What could be improved inside the library, and could we use existing space in a different way? The survey can be completed online or via a paper form in the library entrance, and will be promoted via social media and emails to departments.

Ashrakat Elshehawy commented that separate rooms for small group discussions would be helpful.

ACTION: Jo Gardner to forward the library survey link to committee members, and present the SSL requirements for the project to the MRB Management Committee.

4. Social Science Librarian Report

4.1 Reading Lists Guidelines for Course Convenors

The Committee received an updated version of the Effective Reading Lists document, which is available on the SSL website and sent to departmental administrators. Carson Smith asked if the Theory and Methods Course in Socio-Legal Research would be in scope for the SSL; Jo confirmed that it is and advised Carson to send the most recent version of the reading list to the library and/or Elizabeth Wells to review.

4.2 Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) SafePod

Jo confirmed that the ESRC SafePod will be installed inside the SSL during w/c 20 April 2020. The Social Sciences Division will meet the installation costs, and it will be available to all University of researchers. John Southall reminded the committee that the SafePod will provide secure access to sensitive research datasets via a nationally-recognised 2 infrastructure. In order to use the SafePod researchers will need to register with the SafePod Network (SPN), an administrative service based at the University of St. Andrews.

4.3 Open Access Update

The Committee received the Open Access Update paper from Juliet Ralph, Bodleian Open Access Librarian. Jo noted that there have been no changes to the REF 2021 Open Access policy and briefed the committee on changes to Plan S, implemented by a group of research funders seeking full Open Access to the publications they fund. Jo also promoted Open Access Oxford Week, 9-13 March 2020.

5. Subject Consultants’ reports

John Southall (Data Access and Management, Economics, Sociology) reported that full backfile of The Sociological Review is now available, and The Blackwell Encyclopedia of Sociology subscription is a contender for cancellation. John is also working with colleagues to survey and review Research Data Management (RDM) practices at the , and continues to help researchers with their data management plans and deliver regular iSkills sessions on data access and use.

Sarah Rhodes (International Development, Forced Migration, African and Commonwealth Studies) has run a successful trial of Border and Migration Studies Online, which will be purchased by and available soon. This online collection provides primary source documents, archives, films, images and ephemera relating to specific border areas and events from the 19th to 21st Centuries. This year’s SCOLMA conference Publishing, Collecting and Accessing African-language Materials will take place at SOAS on 8th June. Sarah has been involved in compiling the programme, and the conference will be open for bookings from mid-March.

Jo Gardner (Politics and International Relations, Area Studies) has contacted DPIR Directors of Graduate Studies and Course Directors about using the Oxford online reading list system ORLO for their courses. She has received some interest from Professor Rueda (MPhil Comparative Government) and Professor Kalyvas (Director of Graduate Studies in Politics). Jo has purchased a subscription to the journal American Political Thought, and continues to receive enquiries and requests for research appointments from a range of PPE and MPhil students.

Jo reported that Angelina Gibson (Russian and East European Studies) has published book donation guidelines for potential donors on the COSEELIS website, and purchased the digital archive of the Russian journal Problems of Economics and a subscription to Kyiv Post.

Andy Kernot (SoGE, DSPI, OII, Blavatnik School) reported that moving the geography collection from the RSL to the SSL was largely successful. He is currently providing ‘Effective Literature Review’ sessions to undergraduate students writing dissertations, and will shortly co-teach a similar session to doctoral training students. Andy continues to provide 1-to-1 research consultations to DSPI students working on their research methods training, and he is liaising with DSPI about using ORLO for reading lists for 2020-21. 3

Jo reported that Elizabeth Wells (Criminology and Socio-Legal Studies) represents Social Sciences on a group set up to review LibGuides, and staffed the Legal History stand at the Humanities Research Fair held in January; many of the topics that interest historians have socio-legal or criminological dimensions.

6. Bodleian Libraries and Social Sciences Libraries Report, Louise Clarke

Louise Clarke reported that the Curators had approved the proposal for extending the opening hours of the , with implementation planned for Michaelmas Term 2020. The new hours would apply all year round: Monday-Friday 09:00-21:00, Saturdays 10:00-18:00, and Sundays 11:00-19:00. Ashrakat commented that it is difficult to access the WiFi in the Bodleian Library when it is busy. Louise confirmed that this has been reported. ACTION: Louise Clarke to report the Bodleian Library WiFi problem again.

The Vere Harmsworth Library is providing science library services whilst the Radcliffe Science Library (RSL) is closed. Louise Fawcett asked if the SSL is noticeably busier since the Geography collections moved here from the RSL in 2019. ACTION: Jo to collect SSL occupancy and entrance figures for 2019-20 and previous years, and report these at the next meeting.

7. Comments from student representatives

Carson Smith commented that it is often difficult to read law and socio-legal text side-by- side, because they are ‘Library Use Only’ and housed in either in the Law Library or the SSL. Jo advised Carson to send a list of key titles to Elizabeth Wells, who will consider purchasing loanable copies for the SSL.

Fabian Krusa reported that Economics students need better access to group discussion spaces with whiteboards, and that Manor Road Building Seminar Rooms are unavailable for students to use on an ad hoc basis. ACTION: Jo to install a whiteboard in the SSL Information Skills Training Room so it can be used as a group discussion space, and request easier access to the Seminar Rooms via the Manor Road Building Management Committee.

Dexter Docherty commented that a high number of library books are ‘Library Use Only’. Jo explained that printed publications received under the Legal Deposit Libraries Act 2003 and books that are in very high demand are ‘Library Use Only’. Students are welcome to ask the SSL to purchase loanable copies.

Ashrakat Elsehawy asked about the policy for purchasing books for Middle East Studies. Jo explained that this area is covered by both the Middle East Centre Library and the SSL. University of Oxford students can access and borrow from the Middle East Centre Library, and are welcome to ask either library to purchase the books they need.

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8. Comments from staff representatives

Marti Rovira asked if e-Legal Deposit publications could be made accessible at the Nuffield College Library. Louise Clarke advised him that these publications are available via Bodleian Libraries PCs only, and the nearest site to the Department of Sociology is the Sainsbury Library at the Said Business School.

9. Items for Divisional CLiPS

None noted.

10. Any other business

Jo had received a request for this committee to discuss the provision of a water fountain inside the SSL. This will be added to the SSL requirements outlined under item 3 above.

Date of next meeting: Friday 29 May 2020, 2pm.

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