Bodleian Library 86728 225533636 2008-07-14T04:53:24Z RainbowOfLight 142196 Reverted edits by [[Special:Contributions/70.123.133.97|70.123.133.97]] to last version by Omassey (using [[WP:HG|Huggle]]) [[Image:Bodleian20040124CopyrightKaihsuTai.jpg|right|thumb|Entrance to the Library, with the coats-of-arms of several Oxford colleges.]] {{Location map |Oxford (central) |label=Bodleian |position=left |label_size=120 |mark=Blue pog.svg |marksize=12 |lat=51.7541 |long=-1.2544 |width=280 |float=right |caption=Location of the Old Library within central Oxford }} The '''Bodleian Library''' ({{IPA-en|ˈbɒdliən, bɒdˈliːən}}), the main [[research library]] of the [[University of Oxford]], is one of the oldest [[library|libraries]] in [[Europe]], and in [[England]] is second in size only to the [[British Library]]. Known to Oxford scholars as “Bodley” or simply “the Bod”. Under the ''[[Legal Deposit Libraries Act 2003]]'' it is one of six [[national library|legal deposit libraries]] for works published in the United Kingdom<ref>Legal Deposit Libraries Act 2003</ref><ref>Agency for the Legal Deposit Libraries[http://www.llgc.org.uk/aldl/]</ref> and under Irish Law it is entitled to request a copy of each book published in the [[Republic of Ireland]].<ref> S198(5) Copyright and Related Rights Act 2000</ref> == Early history == Whilst the Bodleian Library, in its current incarnation, has a continuous history dating back to [[1602]], its roots date back even further. The first purpose-built library known to have existed in Oxford was founded in the fourteenth century by [[Thomas Cobham]], [[Bishop of Worcester]]. This small collection of [[chained library|chained books]] was situated above the north side of the [[University Church of St Mary the Virgin]] on the High Street.<ref>Philip, Ian: “The Bodleian Library in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries”, (Clarendon Press: Oxford, 1983), p.5, isbn: 0198224842 .</ref><ref>“The Bodleian Library ”, (Jarrold & Sons, 1976), isbn: 0900177624.</ref> This collection continued to grow steadily, but when, between 1435 and 1437 [[Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester]] (brother of [[Henry V of England]]), donated a great collection of manuscripts, the space was deemed insufficient and a larger building was required. A suitable room was finally built above the [[Divinity School, Oxford|Divinity School]], and completed in [[1489]]. This room continues to be known as Duke Humfrey’s Library.<ref>“The Bodleian Library”, (Jarrold & Sons, 1976).</ref> === Sir Thomas Bodley and the re-founding of the University Library === The late sixteenth century saw the library go through a period of decline (to the extent that the library’s furniture was sold, and only three of the original books belonging to Duke Humfrey remained in the collection).<ref>“The Bodleian Library”, (Jarrold & Sons, 1976).</ref> It was not until 1598 that the library began to thrive once more, when [[Thomas Bodley]] (a former fellow of [[Merton College, Oxford|Merton College]]) wrote to the Vice Chancellor of the University offering to support the development of the library: "where there hath bin hertofore a publike library in Oxford: which you know is apparent by the rome it self remayning, and by your statute records I will take the charge and cost upon me, to reduce it again to his former use."<ref>Philip, Ian: “The Bodleian Library in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries”, p.1.</ref> Duke Humfrey’s Library was refitted, and Bodley donated a number of his own books to furnish it. The library was formally re-opened on [[8 November]] [[1602]] under the name “Bodleian Library” (officially Bodley's Library).<ref>“The Bodleian Library” (Jarrold & Sons, 1976).</ref> Bodley’s collecting interests were varied; according to the historian Ian Philip, as early as June 1603 he was attempting to source manuscripts from Turkey, and it was during “the same year that the first Chinese book was acquired.”<ref>Philip, Ian: “The Bodleian Library in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries”, p.19.</ref> In [[1610]], Bodley made an agreement with the [[Worshipful Company of Stationers and Newspaper Makers|Stationers' Company]] in London to put a copy of every book registered with them in the library. The Bodleian collection grew so fast that the building was expanded between 1610–1612, (known as the Arts End) and again in 1634–1637. When [[John Selden]] died in 1654, he left the Bodleian his large collection of books and manuscripts. The later addition to Duke Humfrey’s Library continues to be known as the "Selden End". [[Image:bodleiandoorway1.jpg|right|thumb|Doorway to the Schola Moralis Philosophiae (School of Moral Philosophy) at the Bodleian Library. This is now the staff entrance to the Schools Quadrangle.]] === The Schools Quadrangle and Tower of the Five Orders === By the time of Bodley’s death in 1612, further expansion to the library was being planned. The Schools Quadrangle (sometimes referred to as the "Old Schools Quadrangle", or the "Old Library") was built between 1613 and 1619. Its tower forms the main entrance to the library, and is known as the '''Tower of the Five Orders'''. The Tower is so named because it is ornamented, in ascending order, with the columns of each of the five orders of [[classical architecture]]: [[Doric order|Doric]], [[Tuscan order|Tuscan]], [[Ionic order|Ionic]], [[Corinthian order|Corinthian]] and [[Composite order|Composite]]. The astronomer [[Thomas Hornsby]] observed the [[transit of Venus]] from this tower in [[1769]].<ref>University of Oxford: Museum of the History of Science, “The most noble problem in nature: the transit of Venus in the eighteenth century” online catalogue of an exhibition held in 2004: http://www.mhs.ox.ac.uk/venus/html/exhibition/oxford-observations.htm.</ref> The rooms on the ground and upper floor of the quadrangle (excluding Duke Humfrey’s library, above the Divinity School) were originally used as lecture space. Their function is still indicated by the inscriptions over the doors. As the library’s collections expanded, these rooms were gradually taken over. One of the schools is now used to host exhibitions of the library’s treasures, whilst the others are used as offices and meeting rooms for the library administrators. === The Radcliffe Camera === By the late eighteenth century, further growth of the library demanded more expansion space. In 1860, the library was allowed to take over the adjacent building, known as the [[Radcliffe Camera]]. In [[1861]], the library’s medical and scientific collections were transferred to the Radcliffe Science Library, which had been built adjacent to the [[Oxford University Museum of Natural History|University Museum]]. === The Clarendon Building === The [[Clarendon Building]] was designed by [[Nicholas Hawksmoor]] and was built between [[1711]] and [[1715]], originally to house the printing presses of the [[Oxford University Press]]. It was vacated by the Press in the early nineteenth century, and used by the university for administrative purposes. In [[1975]] it was handed over to the Bodleian Library, and now provides office and meeting space for senior members of staff.<ref>Jenkins, S. http://www.headington.org.uk/oxon/broad/buildings/south/clarendon.htm. Accessed 2007-02-10.</ref> [[Image:Bodleian Library.jpg|left|thumb|The Radcliffe Camera, viewed from the University Church.]] == The library in the twentieth century == In [[1911]], the [[Legal Deposit Libraries Act 2003|Copyright Act]]<ref>[http://www.statutelaw.gov.uk/content.aspx?LegType=All+Legislation&title=copyright&Year=1911&searchEnacted=0&extentMatchOnly=0&confersPower=0&blanketAmendment=0&sortAlpha=0&TYPE=QS&PageNumber=1&NavFrom=0&parentActiveTextDocId=1069516&ActiveTextDocId=1069516&filesize=20690 Text of the 1911 act]</ref> continued the Stationers' agreement by making the Bodleian one of the six (at that time) libraries covering legal deposit in the [[United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland|United Kingdom]] where a copy of each book copyrighted must be deposited. ''See:'' [[Legal deposit]]. Between [[1909]] and [[1912]], an underground bookstack was constructed beneath the [[Radcliffe Camera]] and Radcliffe Square.<ref>Oxford University Library Services: “A university library for the 21st century: an exhibition of proposals by the oxford university library services (OULS)”, (University of Oxford, 2005) http://www.ouls.ox.ac.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/1878/A1_Boards_Sept_2005_COMPLETE_1_to_9.pdf , accessed: 2006-02-09.</ref> In [[1914]], the total number of books in the library’s collections breached the 1 million mark.<ref>Oxford University Library Services: “A university library for the 21st century: an exhibition of proposals by the oxford university library services (OULS)”, (University of Oxford, 2005) http://www.ouls.ox.ac.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/1878/A1_Boards_Sept_2005_COMPLETE_1_to_9.pdf , accessed: 2006-02-09.</ref> By the 1920s, the Library needed further expansion space, and in [[1937]] building commenced on the New Bodleian building, opposite the [[Clarendon Building]] on the corner of Broad Street. The New Bodleian was designed by architect [[Sir Giles Gilbert Scott]]. Construction was completed in [[1940]]. The building was of an innovative ziggurat design, with 60% of the bookstack below ground level.<ref>Oxford University Gazette: “A university library for the twenty-first century: a report to Congregation by the Curators of the University Libraries”, (University of Oxford, 2005-22-09) http://www.ox.ac.uk/gazette/2005-6/supps/1_4743.htm , accessed: 2006-02-09.</ref> A tunnel under Broad Street connects the Old and New Bodleian buildings, and contains a pedestrian walkway, a mechanical book conveyor and a pneumatic [[Lamson tube]] system which was used for book orders until an electronic automated stack request system was introduced in 2002.<ref>University of Oxford Systems and Electronic Resources Service: http://www.sers.ox.ac.uk/aboutsers.html, accessed 2007-02-10..</ref> The [[Lamson tube]] system is still used by users requesting manuscripts to be delivered to Duke Humfrey’s Library, since many of these have yet to be entered onto [[OLIS]], the online public access catalogue and stack request system.<ref>Bodleian Library: Department of Special Collections and Western Manuscripts: http://www.bodley.ox.ac.uk/dept/scwmss/wmss/#OrderingMSS, accessed 2007-02-10.</ref> == The library today == <!-- Deleted image removed: [[Image:Bod card.JPG|right|thumb|Blank Bodleian Library reader's card or 'Bod Card' - required for access to most of the library's facilities. Such cards exhibit a photograph of the reader, name, subject, academic status, and reader number, which appears below the barcode.]] --> Today, the Bodleian includes several off-site storage areas as well as nine other libraries in Oxford: * the Bodleian [[Japan]]ese Library * the [[Bodleian Law Library]] * the [[Indian Institute Library]] * the [[Oriental Institute Library]] * the [[Philosophy Faculty Library]] * the [[Radcliffe Science Library]] * the [[Sackler Library]] * the [[Bodleian Library of Commonwealth and African Studies at Rhodes House]] * the Vere Harmsworth Library Before being granted access to the library, new readers are required to agree to a formal declaration. This declaration was traditionally oral, but is now usually made by signing a letter to the same effect — ceremonies in which readers recite the declaration are still performed for those who wish to take them, these occur primarily at the start of the University's Michaelmas term. The English text of the declaration is as follows: :''I hereby undertake not to remove from the Library, nor to mark, deface, or injure in any way, any volume, document or other object belonging to it or in its custody; not to bring into the Library, or kindle therein, any fire or flame, and not to smoke in the Library; and I promise to obey all rules of the Library.'' This is a translation of the following traditional Latin oath: :''Do fidem me nullum librum vel instrumentum aliamve quam rem ad bibliothecam pertinentem, vel ibi custodiae causa depositam, aut e bibliotheca sublaturum esse, aut foedaturum deformaturum aliove quo modo laesurum; item neque ignem nec flammam in bibliothecam inlaturum vel in ea accensurum, neque fumo nicotiano aliove quovis ibi usurum; item promitto me omnes leges ad bibliothecam Bodleianam attinentes semper observaturum esse. (Leges bibliothecae bodleianae alta voce prae legendae custodis iussu)''. == The library's future == The Bodleian Group now cares for some 8 million items on 117 miles of shelving, and a staff of over 400.<ref>Oxford University Library Services: “A university library for the 21st century: an exhibition of proposals by the oxford university library services (OULS)”, (University of Oxford, 2005) http://www.ouls.ox.ac.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/1878/A1_Boards_Sept_2005_COMPLETE_1_to_9.pdf , accessed: 2006-02-09.</ref> It is the second largest library in the UK (behind the [[British Library]]). The continued growth of the library has resulted in a severe shortage of storage space. Over 1.5 million items are currently stored in locations outside of Oxford, including a disused [[salt mine]] in [[Cheshire]].<ref>Bodleian preparing to move stock to salt mine: http://www.cherwell.org/news/bodleian_preparing_to_move_stock_to_salt_mine, accessed 2007-02-26.</ref> In an effort to improve access to the library’s collections, Oxford University Library Services (OULS) is in the process of obtaining planning permission to build a new book depository on the [[Osney]] Mead site, to the south east of [[Oxford]] city centre. There are also plans to remodel the New Bodleian building, provide improved storage facilities for rare and fragile material, and to better support researchers.<ref>Oxford University Library Services: “Buildings Update”: http://www.ouls.ox.ac.uk/buildings, accessed 2007-02-10.</ref> == Copyright and preservation of material == The library operates a strict policy of copyright enforcement. Until fairly recently, photocopying of library material was not permitted, as there was concern that copying and excessive handling of material would result in damage. However individuals may now copy material produced after [[1900]], and a staff-mediated service is provided for certain types of older material. Handheld scanners and digital cameras are also permitted for use on post-1900 publications.<ref>See Bodleian Library photocopying regulations: http://www.bodley.ox.ac.uk/dept/readerserv/copyingservices.htm#Self-service_photocopying, accessed 2007-02-09.</ref> [[Microform]] copies have been made of many of the most fragile items in the library's collection, and these are substituted for the original whenever possible. The library has a close relationship with the [http://www.odl.ox.ac.uk/ Oxford Digital Library], which is in the process of digitising some of the many rare and unusual items in the University's collection. == The Bodleian Library in fiction == The Library's fine architecture has made it a favourite location for filmmakers. It can be seen in the TV series ''[[Brideshead Revisited#Television adaptation in 1981|Brideshead Revisited]]'', ''[[Another Country (play)|Another Country]]'' ([[1984]]), ''[[The Madness of King George III]]'' ([[1994]]), and the first two ''[[Harry Potter]]'' films, in which the Divinity School doubles as the [[Hogwarts]] hospital wing and Duke Humfrey's Library as the Hogwarts library.<ref>Leonard, Bill, ''The Oxford of Inspector Morse'' Location Guides, Oxford (2004) p.203 ISBN 0-9547671-1-X.</ref> In ''[[The New World]]'' ([[2005]]) the libraries' edifice is portrayed as the entrace to the Royal Court of the English monarchy. Also, the first few words of the [[Latin]] version of the reader's promise seen above (''Do fidem me nullum librum vel'') can be found on the linguist's hat in the [[1996]] mini-series [[Gulliver's Travels]]. Since [[J.R.R. Tolkien]] had studied philology at Oxford and eventually became a professor, he was very familiar with the [[Red Book of Hergest]] which was kept at the Bodleian. He later created his own fictional [[Red Book of Westmarch]] telling the story of [[The Lord of the Rings]]. Many of Tolkien's manuscripts are now at the library. It is the library used in [[Colin Dexter]]'s [[Inspector Morse]] (The Wench Is Dead). Background scenery in [[Dorothy L. Sayers]] [[Gaudy Night]] set in a fictitious all-female Shrewsbury College, set at Oxford University it features in the Micheal White novel Equinox == Treasures include == * The original [[Shikshapatri]] manuscript written by [[Lord Swaminarayan]] himself. <ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.shikshapatri.org.uk | title= Digital Shikshapatri}}</ref> * The [[Carte Manuscripts]]. * Shakespeare's [[First folio]] * [[Ashmole Manuscripts]] including the [[Ashmole Bestiary]]. * The letters of the poet [[Percy Bysshe Shelley]]. * The [[Gutenberg Bible]], one of only 42 surviving (complete) copies worldwide. * The [[Douce Manuscripts]] which were donated to the library by Sir [[Francis Douce]] in [[1834]]. * The [[Laud Manuscripts]] which were donated to the library by [[William Laud|Archbishop William Laud]] between [[1635]] and [[1640]]. * The [[Vernon Manuscript]] (Oxford, Bodleian Library, MS Eng. poet.a.1), the biggest and most important surviving manuscript written in [[Middle English]].<ref>Birmingham University English Department’s project to digitise the Vernon Manuscript: http://www.english.bham.ac.uk/medievalstudies/vernon/, accessed 2007-02-09.</ref> * The [[Song of Roland]]. * The [[Codex Laud]]. * The [[Codex Mendoza]]. * Four copies of the [[Magna Carta]]. == See also == * [[OLIS]] (Oxford Libraries Information System) * [[Radcliffe Camera]] * [[Clarendon Building]] * [[Google Books Library Project]] == References == {{reflist|2}} == External links == {{commonscat|Bodleian Library manuscripts}} * [http://www.bodley.ox.ac.uk/ Bodleian Library] (official website) * [http://www.bodley.ox.ac.uk/deplib.htm Bodleian Group] * [http://www.odl.ox.ac.uk Oxford Digital Library] * [http://www.ouls.ox.ac.uk Oxford University Library Services] *[http://www.cherwell.org/files/sm_Issue8.pdf Excellent & entertaining article in Cherwell Magazine on the Bodleian Library] (see pp.10-11) * [http://www.theeuropeanlibrary.org/ The European Library] {{coor title dms|51|45|14.3|N|1|15|18.5|W|region:GB_type:landmark}} [[Category:Academic libraries]] [[Category:Eponymous places]] [[Category:Libraries in Oxford]] [[Category:University of Oxford]] [[Category:1602 establishments]] [[Category:Grade I listed buildings in Oxford]] [[Category:Grade I listed library buildings]] [[Category:Research libraries]] [[de:Bodleian Library]] [[es:Biblioteca Bodleiana]] [[eo:Biblioteko Bodleian]] [[fr:Bodleian Library]] [[it:Biblioteca Bodleiana]] [[la:Bibliotheca Bodleiana]] [[pl:Bodleian Library]] [[pt:Biblioteca Bodleiana]] [[ur:بوڈلین لائبریری]] [[vec:Bodleian]] [[zh:博德利圖書館]]