Oxford Union Society Library

12/10/2026

Welcome to Michaelmas Term! The Library opening hours this term are Monday-Friday, 09:30-19:00. Regrettably, we are no longer able to open on Saturdays during term time.

03/10/2026

This coming week is 0th Week of term, which means the Union will begin our Open Period from Sunday 4th - Wednesday 21st October! During this time Library entry will be FREE for those wishing to have a look around, and we especially welcome prospective members. If you're coming up to Oxford for the first time, be sure to check us out!

01/10/2026

October is Black History Month! One of the Union's earliest recorded Black members was Pixley Ka Isaka Seme, who read law at Jesus College and in 1909 became the first Zulu to graduate from the University of Oxford. Upon his return to South Africa, he set up a large legal practice in Johannesburg. In 1911 he wrote a seminal text entitled ‘Native Union’, which became the founding document for the South African Native National Congress, later renamed the African National Congress (ANC).

21/09/2026

A view of one of our favourite murals 'Sir Lancelot Prevented by his Sin from Entering the Chapel of the San Grail' by Dante Gabriel Rossetti. This photograph was taken by the V&A museum - you can find more high-resolution pictures of the murals taken by the museum on our website.

10/09/2026

01/09/2026

The library is now open again following our summer break! We resume normal vacation opening hours from today until 12th October: 09:30-17:00, Monday-Friday. We look forward to seeing you soon!

15/07/2026

Spot the Wombat: Round 2! Tell us when you have found him, but remember to keep his location a secret...

10/07/2026

Let's play "spot the wombat!" Can you see our library mascot Top anywhere in this photo of the Old Library?

07/07/2026

A reminder that we are open to visitors for most of this summer! You can come and see our beautiful library and debating chamber whether you are a member or not. Please check our pinned post for our closed days.

30/06/2026

The Library will be closed at several points this summer to allow for some events and our closed period: 8th, 15th, 22nd, 28th July; 4th, 10th, 11th, 13th August. Our usual summer closed period will be from 15th - 31st August, reopening on 1st September.