Bodleian Library in Oxford

Keith and I did a tour of the Bodleian Library. For some reason, this library has always intrigued me. Perhaps because I had to write an essay on this library during my library school training. For whatever reason, it is a place worthy of interest. To get into the library, you need a reader's card. Keith has a reader's card for the next few weeks, but little old me would have to write a letter and provide a reason for being granted permission to enter. The only way to get in, is to do a tour, so that is what we did! Again, the guide was friendly and amazingly knowledgeable.

I was able to enter the Duke Humfrey's Library which holds the oldest manuscripts of the collection. For many years many of the books were chained to the shelves. There is a chair in this section which is the "Librarian's Chair". Part of the Bodley tradition is that at closing time, the librarian sits on the chair and the bell rings telling the readers that it is time to leave. This still happens today.

The original Duke Humfrey's library consisted of a large number of manuscripts that he donated to Oxford University in the mid 1440s. However, it only survived in its original form until most of the manuscripts were burnt during the reign of King Edward VI during the 1550s who wanted to purge the country of all things "roman catholic" and to make a protestant England. Thirteen manuscripts remain, three of which are in the present collection.

Sir Thomas Bodley, a wealthy protestant, rescued the library soon after. He provided his own collection of 2,500 books and provided money to establish a library for the "public use of students". In 1610, he organised the first legal deposit, when he organised for the Stationers Company of London to provide a copy of every book published in England and registered at the Stationers' Hall.

This inscription appears above the entrance to the library. It reads "That it might turn out happily, Oxonian academics, for you and for the republic of lettered men Thomas Bodley placed this library." It is questionable as to whether his original intention of it being a library for "everyone" has been upheld, as it is not the easiest library to enter.



There are now over nine million items in this collection - which must take some housing. In reality, I got a mere glimpse of this rich and wonderful library. I would have to become a scholar to really be able to dig and delve into the treasures it holds. Keith plans to spend some time working there this week. All library users need to say an oath before being allowed to enter - basically promising to respect the collection and not damage or steal anything. That is a novel idea! This library receives 1,200 new items each week!



I am visiting the Bodleian Law Library on Thursday. I am hoping that I can ask a few questions about the use of this library by undergraduates.