Thursday we went by train to Oxford to visit the Bodleian Library. We left on a 9:30 train and arrived in Oxford about 10:30. Once we arrived, we made our way to the library where we separated into two groups and given a tour of the university grounds and library operations. David East was the guide for my group and he was adorable in his meanderings. He gave us insights into the library's functions and history, and went out of his way several times to give us extra information.
We toured the library housed upstairs, then he took us downstairs, way downstairs, to the circulation room. Once a book is requested by a reader in the library, a notice is sent downstairs where the book is located and sent through a conveyor system back up to the library. He explained to us how, in the early days of the library, books were know as "chained books" due to the fact that they were chained to the desks so readers would not walk off with them. This practice, however, was changed when librarians realized the damage chains c
aused the books covers. Later, he sat us down and told us about the coat of arms carved into the ceiling, how the stained glass windows were replaced and the crucifix above one door destroyed when Protestants took over.
We toured the library housed upstairs, then he took us downstairs, way downstairs, to the circulation room. Once a book is requested by a reader in the library, a notice is sent downstairs where the book is located and sent through a conveyor system back up to the library. He explained to us how, in the early days of the library, books were know as "chained books" due to the fact that they were chained to the desks so readers would not walk off with them. This practice, however, was changed when librarians realized the damage chains c
aused the books covers. Later, he sat us down and told us about the coat of arms carved into the ceiling, how the stained glass windows were replaced and the crucifix above one door destroyed when Protestants took over. First opened to scholars in 1602, it incorporates an earlier library erected by the University in the fifteenth century to house books donated by Humfrey, Duke of Gloucester. In 1598, Sir Thomas Bodley rescued the library from the Faculty of Medicine, which took control after the University was forced to give it up because it did not have the necessary resources for upkeep. The library was refurnished to house a new collection of 2,500 books, both from Bodley's collection and other donors. Thomas James was appointed librarian and it opened in November of 1602. In 1610, Bodley entered into an agreement with the Stationers' Company of London in which a copy of every book printed in England would be given to the library.
After our tours, we were able to spend some time in Oxford, as we were able to go back to London on our own, via train. A group of us did a little shopping at some university stores before going to see the Oxford Castle. Unfortunately, by the time we got there, all the tours for the day were booked, so we weren't able to view the castle. A few of us then decided to make our way back to London.
We arrived at the train station with time to spare before the train arrived. Once it arrived however, we weren't paying attention, or rather we didn't know we had to be on a particular line, and got on the wrong train. We were forced to buy another ticket and get off at the next stop to catch the right line back to London.
We made it back in time to rest a little before we met up for dinner.
It was an interesting and exciting day, but I was glad to be back at the dorms and looked forward to a few days off before we left for Scotland on Sunday.
Until next time.
We arrived at the train station with time to spare before the train arrived. Once it arrived however, we weren't paying attention, or rather we didn't know we had to be on a particular line, and got on the wrong train. We were forced to buy another ticket and get off at the next stop to catch the right line back to London.
We made it back in time to rest a little before we met up for dinner.
It was an interesting and exciting day, but I was glad to be back at the dorms and looked forward to a few days off before we left for Scotland on Sunday.
Until next time.
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