Headington Library

News IT services will install a new, faster and more reliable Wi-Fi system in the JHBB in January 2026. During the upgrade period (05-16 January), services in Headington Library will be affected. The library will remain open during this period, and you are welcome to come and use the study spaces and books. Wi-Fi, PCs and printing will not be available in the library. Library staff will still be available to help and answer questions. The best ways to contact us will be email and live chat. Find out more on the Get Help and Support page.

Opening hours

24 hours, 7 days a week for Oxford Brookes University staff and students. Overnight entry to John Henry Brookes Building is by card only 9.00pm to 7.00am, and all non-Brookes persons must leave the building between those times.

During semester Library staff are available at the following times:

Monday to Friday, 9.00am to 7.00pm
Saturday to Sunday, 12.00pm to 6.00pm

From Saturday 20 December 2025 to Sunday 18 January 2026 Library staff will be available at the following times:

Monday to Friday, 9.00am to 5.00pm

Christmas and New Year closure

The Library will close at 2.00pm on Wednesday 24 December 2025 and reopen at 9.00am on Monday 5 January 2026
The John Henry Brookes Building will be accessible by card only from 5.00pm on Friday 19 December 2025 until 7.00am on Monday 5 January 2026

Contact us

Library

+44 (0) 1865 534700

library@brookes.ac.uk

Call us on the number above (staffed hours only)

Email us for help using the library, finding resources, borrowing, and all general enquiries.

Services and access

Access

The main entrance to Headington Library is on Level 1 of the John Henry Brookes Building (JHBB). The Library is located on six floors and with lift / stair access available at each level. Accessible toilets can be found on all floors. A virtual tour of the library is available, and we also have a PDF floor plan which can be printed.

Study space

Individual silent and quiet study spaces are available throughout each floor on Levels 2 - 4. The library uses a traffic light system to indicate the type of study space:

Red: Silent space (work here without any disturbance)
Yellow: Quiet space (talk quietly and briefly here)
Green: Group space (discuss you work here in groups)

Group study rooms can be booked by clicking on the book a study room link from the library home page.

It is possible to adjust the height on some tables in the library: ask at the Welcome Desk on level 1 for more information.

The Library Wellbeing Zone, a space to take time away from your studies and relax, is on level one. We also have a Sensory Study Space, for students who have different sensory needs. Find out more about both spaces on our life and study balance webpage.

Please do not bring hot or smelly food into the Library, and make sure all drinks are lidded. Alcohol is strictly forbidden across all campuses.

Travelling to the library

Directions and transport arrangements can be found on the Headington Campus webpage

Audio visual equipment

DVD/VHS player located on level 4 zone D. Remote control for the player is held at the Welcome desk on level 1.
Portable DVD players that plug and play with laptops and pcs in the Library can be borrowed from the Welcome desk on level 1 during staffed hours.
Headphones can be borrowed from the Welcome desk on level 1 during staffed hours.
CD player located on level 4 zone D.
Vinyl turntable available in Special Collections.

Library services for disabled people

For more information on how to get the most out of the library service, visit our Library services for disabled people webpage.

Special Collections

Special Collections: Headington Library has substantial Special Collections in food and drink, publishing and literary prizes, art and architecture, public and allied health and Oxford Brookes University. During vacation the Reading Room is open by appointment only.

Get help with your subject

Please see our course resource page for a list of courses studied at Oxford Brookes and resources to support those subjects.

Self service

We offer extended opening during unstaffed times to Brookes students and staff. You can check our opening hours at the top of this page to find out what times library staff are available to help you. When library staff are not present, campus security will carry out patrols. Always bring your student card or Brookes staff ID with you.

To contact security, ring 01865 60 3060.

Emergency? Need help now?

Printing, scanning and photocopying are available 24/7 from multi-functional devices within the Library. For guides and more information see uniPRINT service overview.

Information for international students

Discover the Library: a guide for international students (google slideshow)