Dear All, Apologies for cross-posting - this message has been circulated to various Maps listservs and Bodleian Map Room users. Nick Millea In preparation for the refurbishment of the New Bodleian Library expected to begin next year, a large proportion of Special Collections material currently stored there must be temporarily relocated. The relocation is being carried out for conservation reasons, in order to protect the Bodleian’s important collections during the forthcoming refurbishment of the library. During this period the Special Collections that are affected will be available for consultation at the Radcliffe Science Library (RSL). A dedicated Special Collections team and relevant resources will relocate to the RSL to administer this material for readers. The Special Collections Reading Room (SCRR) in the New Bodleian Library will close on 2nd December 2009. A new SCRR will then be opened at the RSL on 7th December 2009. Many of the collections currently consulted in Duke Humfrey's Library will be consulted in the RSL SCRR during this period. Duke Humfrey’s Library will continue to provide access to manuscripts and rare books not transferred to the new location. View a list of the collections to be transferred <http://www.ouls.ox.ac.uk/about/buildings/new_bodleian/moves/current>. Until the relocation of the SCRR to the RSL, Duke Humfrey’s Library will house reference material supporting the study of pre-1800 manuscripts and pre-1641 printed books and the SCRR will house material supporting the study of post-1800 manuscript material, ephemera, Oriental manuscripts and Special Collections. A large proportion of the reference material, complementing the temporarily transferred Special Collections, will be relocated to the RSL SCRR when this is created. Please contact Special Collections staff with any queries, either in person in the Special Collections Reading Room, by e-mail: [log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]> or by telephone: 01865 277046 (please note that the number might change after the relocation). Alternatively, please consult the “Question and Answer” sheet. Special Collections temporary move Q&A <http://www.ouls.ox.ac.uk/about/buildings/new_bodleian/moves/qanda> The New Bodleian Library is scheduled to close in 2010 for an extensive refurbishment programme Through this refurbishment the New Bodleian building will provide improved research facilities for scholars, and improved access to the Bodleian’s successful programme of Exhibitions and related activities. The refurbishment is also a key activity in improving the physical infrastructure of the Library, where the stacks of the New Bodleian have been identified as requiring urgent renovation. In order to make it possible to begin this essential work, the New Bodleian building – one of the largest library buildings in Britain – must be emptied and the collections stored there relocated, together with the services currently delivered from the building. *The Map Collections* Map material that is to be consulted at the RSL will be limited to the Todhunter Allen Collection; cartographic items with a "MAP RES" shelfmark; and flat manuscript maps. All other maps will continue to be consulted as at present in the New Bodleian Reading Room. Full details for all collections can be found at: http://www.ouls.ox.ac.uk/about/buildings/new_bodleian/moves _______________________________________________________ Nick Millea Map Librarian, Bodleian Library, Broad Street, Oxford, OX1 3BG Tel: 01865 287119 Fax: 01865 277139 Email: [log in to unmask] Homepage: http://www.bodley.ox.ac.uk/guides/maps/ Temporary move of Special Collections: More information at: www.ouls.ox.ac.uk/scmoves <http://www.ouls.ox.ac.uk/scmoves> _______________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------------