Oxford's Bodleian Library and Christ Church College Library

To cap our first week in London our class took an hour-long train ride to Oxford to visit two of their most notable libraries, the Bodleian and Christ Church. I have previously been to Oxford and had great memories of this city so was excited to revisit it but I was not expecting that this would turn out to be one of the most special visits for me. 

To begin our tour we were given a history of the Oxford University and insight into the operations of the 37 colleges that make up the institution. We weren't able to take any photos inside the library itself, so please search out the images now to get a better appreciation of just how beautiful this space is! 

The Bodleian is one of those libraries whose reputation precedes it, and for excellent reason. As the main research library at Oxford University, this library is formidable in both appearance and collections. As a deposit library, they receive a copy of every book, paper, and article published in the UK, making this library second in size only to the British Library; collectively the Bodleian libraries have over 13 million printed items. Their collection began in the 15th century with a collection of 300 manuscripts from the King Henry V's brother, Duke Humphrey. The University's first library was built in response to the problem of where to store these hundreds of manuscripts. 

The library is called Bodleian for Thomas Bodley, a rich diplomat for Elizabeth I who helped to restore the building and its collection after it was decimated by an Anglicanism purge of Catholicism. It was under Bodley that this library became a depository institution. Today there are more than 500 librarians operating the libraries in Oxford and an enormous warehouse located out of the city to house many of the items. They expect it to be filled by 2025.

Staff and students are allowed access to the items, but they must request them from the librarian, who is the only one allowed in the stacks. He will put a place card in the space the book took up to ensure they keep their order. Some of the more fragile items were kept in special boxes or spine side in to prevent damage to the book casing. 

This visit was truly for the bibliophile. I thoroughly enjoyed learning about the history of the Bodleian and being able to appreciate this amazing space.

After lunch, we were given a tour of Christ Church Library by the head librarian, Stephen. Interestingly, he informed us that he is only the third librarian in the last 65 years. Needless to say, it is a highly esteemed position and not one that comes around very frequently. 

Stephen first showed us the Old Library, which was the original library room at the college. Here there is an original stone floor and specially designed shelves for the 4000 volumes housed here. We were shown several of the colleges rare and notable items, including the anatomy pop up book shown below. 

Like any library, they struggle with space and the constant problem of where to store their material. Currently, they have 25,000 items in storage and 35,000 on open access for students. With the philosophy of the students as the owners of the collection, the library will purchase just about anything that the students request, and if possible they will have it delivered to them within the day. Stephen described the culture of the campus as close and personal. There are only 450 students and so they are all familiar with one another. 

Stephen concluded his tour by bringing us to his office to showcase several of the library's most illustrious items. I was surprised at how he handled the items, everywhere else we have been people hold these items with gloves and are reluctant to turn pages and Stephen comfortable and carefully held each of the items, and in some cases allowed us to do the same. He addressed his comfort with the materials and stated that they actively encourage the students to engage with and handle the items to teach them how to handle them delicately and to encourage them to use the space and collection. 

Everything at Christ Church seems beautiful and as though it has an interesting history. His office is no different, and in this case, he shared with us its story. The office of every head librarian, it was once the office of Lewis Carroll, or Charles Dodgeson, who was one of Stephen's forebearers. It was through this office window that Dogeson would watch Alice play in the courtyard and where he wrote his manuscript for Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. 

Other items Stephen pulled to show us were Queen Elizabeth I's personal bible, Cardinal Wolsey's gospel lectionary, a first edition of The Origin of Species, and an illuminated Greek gospel in original binding. Some of the special items housed at Christ Church were gifted and are special for their provenance while others, such as Darwin's first edition, were just purchased new and never gotten rid of. Many items at the college are like this - anywhere else these items would be behind glass but here they are just part of the original furniture or collection. 

This visit was full of whimsy and magic. At both libraries, we were shown amazing items in the most beautiful locations, and it was truly one of the most memorable experiences.