Bodleian Library

The Bodleian Library serves as the primary research library for the University of Oxford. It is one of the oldest libraries in Europe, with a continuous history dating back to 1602. Today, the collection contains over 13 million printed items. This makes it the second-largest library in Britain, following the British Library.

Because of the Legal Deposit Libraries Act 2003, it is one of six libraries in the United Kingdom entitled to receive a copy of every book published in the country. It also has the right to request copies of books published in the Republic of Ireland under Irish law.

The library operates mainly as a reference library. This means that most documents cannot be removed from the reading rooms. To gain access, new readers must agree to a formal declaration. Traditionally, this was an oral oath. Today, most readers sign a letter to confirm their agreement. However, some people still perform ceremonies where they recite the oath aloud.

To help non-native English speakers, the Bodleian Admissions Office keeps translations of the declaration in over one hundred different languages.

The roots of the library reach back to the 14th century. Thomas Cobham, the Bishop of Worcester, founded a small collection of chained books. These books were kept above the University Church of St Mary the Virgin. Between 1435 and 1437, Humphrey, the Duke of Gloucester, donated a large collection of manuscripts. This massive gift meant the original space was too small. Consequently, a larger room called Duke Humfrey's Library was completed in 1488 above the Divinity School.

After 1488, the library entered a period of decline. The university stopped funding its upkeep and buying new books. During the reign of Edward VI, many Catholic-related manuscripts were removed during a purge. By the late 16th century, the library had lost much of its furniture. Only three of the original books from Duke Humphrey remained.

Sir Thomas Bodley changed this history. A former fellow of Merton College, he offered to pay for the library's restoration himself. He officially re-opened the library on November 8, 1602.

Bodley's efforts led to rapid growth. The library started with about 2,000 books in 1602. By 1620, the collection had reached 16,000 items. In 1610, Bodley made an agreement with the Stationers' Company. This agreement ensured the library received a copy of every book registered with the company. This system allowed the collection to expand steadily for centuries.

The library's physical site consists of several historic buildings near Broad Street. The Schools Quadrangle was built between 1613 and 1619. It features the Tower of the Five Orders, which displays five classical architectural styles. These are the Tuscan, Doric, Ionic, Corinthian, and Composite orders.

Other important structures include the 18th-century Radcliffe Camera and the Clarendon Building. The Radcliffe Camera was taken over by the library in 1860. The Weston Library is another key part of the modern complex.

Modern technology has changed how people interact with these ancient collections. In 2015, much of the library's archives were digitized. This allows the public to access historical documents online. This digital shift connects the physical history of the university to the modern world. The library also works with other Oxford colleges through the SOLO online catalogue. This system helps researchers find books across many different university libraries.