Oxford University Libraries

Oxford University (Oxford, England), whose origins go back into the twelfth century, is the oldest British university and has for centuries been an internationally renowned centre of learning. It has fine libraries and museums, both ancient and modern, and a whole range of laboratories and departments for the pursuit of teaching and research. The largest library is the Bodleian library. It is one of the oldest libraries in Europe, and in England is second in size only to the British Library. The Bodleian library has a continuous history from 1598 when Sir Thomas Bodley, who had abandoned a distinguished academic career for diplomacy, retired from public life and decided to devote himself to restoring the old University library. The work of refitting the room took two years and the library was formally opened on November 8th, 1602. In 1610 Bodley made an agreement with the Stationer's Company, whereby the Stationer undertook to send to the Bodleian Library a copy of every new book they published. This agreement had virtually made the Bodleian a `deposit library` 150 years before the British Museum was founded. The stock of the library was expanding rapidly and it gradually absorbed adjacent buildings and other special libraries. Later some new extensions and, finally, the New Bodleian Library had to be built and all units were amalgamated into a closely - knit library system. The buildings of the Old Library still retain their architectural charm and dignity. The main gateway into the Bodleian quadrangle is through the Tower of the Five Orders of Architecture (Tuscan, Doric, Ionic, Corinthian, and Composite). Between the Corinthian columns is the statue of James I giving copies of his works to Fame and to the University. To the right and left of the main gateway are the buildings that used to house the schools of the Seven Liberal Arts: the Trivium; the three elementary subjects of Grammar; Rhetoric and Logic; and the Quadrivium, the more advanced course). All these were required for the Arts degree. Across the quadrangle were the superior Faculties of Theology, Medicine, and Law. Today the Bodleian is a legal deposit library with extensive research collections. It includes several autonomous units that have a national and international role as research libraries. Most of the special libraries with the primary responsibility it serve their own undergraduates in all disciplines, and access is generally restricted to faculty or college members.