Today’s visit involved a day trip to Oxford to see the Bodleian Library. The early morning was definitely worth the visit to this city and library. The history of the buildings we toured was really interesting and rich. Also, there are so many scenes from Harry Potter that were either filmed there or took inspiration from the actual places we saw today. The influence of the library and the original structures is exciting to witness in person.
The Old Bodleian Library is a reference library. None of the materials can be checked out. There was a time that security was taken so seriously that the large books were actually physically chained to the shelves to prevent the books from being stolen or taken out of the library. Books being for library use only is nothing new but having an entire collection that does not leave the building is something new to me. This policy has been in place for centuries and does not seem likely to change. Since no materials can be taken from Bodleian Library the other Oxford libraries usually own a circulating copy of the books that students and faculty may borrow.
In order to use the libraries at Oxford the person has to register as a reader and adhere to the following declaration:
I hereby undertake not to remove from the Library, or 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.
Even though the way libraries are used is changing and some people argue that they will become obsolete that respect for the library and what is held within it remains. The Bodleian is still relevant to the students and faculty today. It has been around for centuries and will continue to be so. The university even went through the trouble of making a video a couple of years ago about the preparations taken to make the Bodleian ready to meet user needs in the 21st century.
As long as people like Sir Thomas Bodley exist (the man who rescued the Bodleian) libraries will continue to have a future. Space was an issue for the Bodleian in the 1600s and continues to be an issue today. Re-imagining how the space in a library should be used is part of keeping libraries relevant and centers of community use today, whether that community is people at a university, the public or a more specialized group.
The Perks of Being a Library Student 