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Bodleian Libraries news for MPLS - June 2021

From the Bodleian’s Public Engagement Department

Greenspaces of a Self – a Public Engagement with Research project

Over a year since its last in-person activity, the Bodleian’s Public Engagement team was delighted, in mid-May, to begin an exciting project in collaboration with university students and a local city walking group. ‘Greenspaces of a Self’ is a six-week Bodleian Public Engagement with Research project led by mental health researcher Dr Stephen Puntis, NIHR post-doctoral fellow, Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford. He is working in partnership with artist Eleanor Minney and the Harcourt Arboretum. 

The project is in connection with Melancholy – A New Anatomy, a Bodleian exhibition due to launch in September 2021. The exhibition marks the 400th anniversary of Robert Burton’s book Anatomy of Melancholy and is a collaboration with the Department of Psychiatry. This research project aims to chart the link between greenspaces and wellbeing in participants, thus possibly reflecting Robert Burton’s thoughts as expressed in the book: “Although our ordinary air be good by nature or art, yet it is not amiss, as I have said, still to alter it; no better physic for a melancholy man than change of air”. 

The project uses mindfulness-based approaches to explore the connection between greenspaces, a sense of self, and wellbeing. Each 90-minute session consists of guided walks around the Arboretum followed by conversation, reflection, and activities including writing, drawing, and collaging. It is hoped that some of the outcomes of the project can be shown in the exhibition as well as support the qualitative and experiential evidence base connecting nature and positive mental health.   

Library space and physical services

RSL opening hours

The Radcliffe Science Library and the Vere Harmsworth Library will switch to vacation opening hours from 21 June 2021. We will be open:

  • Monday to Friday – 9.30am-7pm
  • Saturday – 10am-2pm
  • Sunday – Closed

Booking a space is still required.

Open Access news

Changes to Wiley/Jisc Open Access publishing deal

Due to a higher volume of articles than predicted being published via the Wiley/Jisc Open Access publishing deal, Jisc will be limiting access to the payment of APCs to authors funded by Wellcome, UKRI, Blood Cancer UK, British Heart Foundation, Cancer Research UK, Parkinsons UK and Versus Arthritis. This change will take effect from 1 July 2021 and will last until the end of 2021. The process for eligible papers will remain the same.  

Unfunded authors will be eligible for a 25% discount on APC costs. If you have any questions about this, please email apc@bodleian.ox.ac.uk.

Read updates and information about the University’s Read & Publish deals.