The Bodlein is not just any library... it's THE library. Started in 1428, it is one of the oldest libraries in Europe. Constructed of beautifully carved, golden-colored sandstone, its presences is overwhelming from the narrow street below. Walking through the gate brings you into a courtyard, called the Schools Quadrangle, with numerous doors leading to unknown places, except for the obviously much larger library door just begging for me to walk through it - though this, come to find out, was the door for people who want to take tours.
Our tour began in The Divinity School, a room on the ground floor that was primarily used for oral disputations where students would stand to complete their examinations; written exams were not implemented until the 19th century. The high, vaulted ceiling is decorated with over 400 carvings of coats of arms, and other items and symbols, all representing religious ideals, benefactors, and other important people associated with the school. The room has been much unchanged from its creation, except for the addition of a door in the 17th century by Christopher Wren. The door leads to the Sheldonian Theatre, where graduates receive their degrees. Oh, and just an FYI, it's the room that was used as the hospital in Harry Potter.
The next room on the ground floor is the Convocation House, a 17th century-style meeting room where university business was conducted. A large, looming throne resides over the dark stained, oak room, which is the seat of power for the Vice Chancellor. These days the business is carried out in administrative offices, but this room is still used for elections and other functions.
The last room on the ground floor is the Chancellor's Court, and looks exactly as you would expect - like a small courtroom. Cases concerning the university and its students would be heard here, but the room is not used as such today.
So where's the library, you ask? Well, it's upstairs. In those days books were very rare, and considered precious by their owners. As a result, libraries were often built on upper floors to lessen the probability for damage should there be a disaster, such as a flood. But before I talk about going to the library, let me just say a few things about the library. It's collections are vast, and include over 11 million printed items. It They aim to have one copy, and just one copy, of a book. Their collection contains many, many priceless treasures, including many famous authors' first editions, 67 of the 100 known Hebrew incunabula, children's books, and the list goes on and on. They are currently building a new facility to house and display many of these items for the public to view and admire (which is great, but I feel a little like I missed out). Originally a manuscript library, it was destroyed, and later restored in 1602 by Thomas Bodley.
Walking into Duke Humfrey's Library... my heart stopped and my breath hitched in the back of my throat. The smell, the view, the atmosphere all attacked my senses and I even teared up a little. I know, enough with the emotions, but you just don't understand unless you've been there. There is so much history in this place that you can taste it, and it's so overwhelming. The Arts End, as it is known for its contents is full of beautiful, old bindings that stare down from their homes, protected behind the rope from those who do not know how to handle such treasures. Many people don't know that most libraries chained the books to the shelves to prevent people from taking them out of the building, and The Bodleian was no exception. One book has been left chained to show visitors how the system worked. As the chain was attached to the outer edge of the cover, the books had to be shelved spine in hiding the identity of an item. As a result, a numerical system was created to label the books for easy location, with a master list posted at the end of each shelf; the beginning of cataloging. The layout is such that the shelves create alcoves for readers to immerse themselves in quiet study, each with a window for light; electricity was not added until 1927 (we could not take pictures, but you can Google it to see what it looks like). And another FYI, this was the library from Harry Potter.
Our tour took us next to the Radcliffe Camera, which is considered the more modern part of the library. Just a quick, few steps away, this two-story building is a popular destination for students to do their research. The user-friendly atmosphere is noticeable upon entering, and though it is not as grand as Duke Humfrey's Library, it is still a beautiful space. It is through this library that we made our way down to the basement, into the stacks below ground. The entire area has been converted, and modernized, to allow for not only more storage and holding space, but for student use as well. The shelves are interesting, built on a sort-of grid system that has rolling wheels sitting on tracks at the top, making them easier to move and access items. The basement is also where the tunnel system for transport between buildings takes place. Should a student want one item that is held in another library building, they can request that the item be pulled and delivered to where they are needed.
The journey has been completed... now if I could only think of some reason to return where they would actually let me use this library.
I spent the rest of the day wandering around Oxford to do a little shopping, and see the town. Our class took a special tour of Christ Church later in the afternoon.. and when I say special, I mean it. Our spectacular tour guide James took us through the back way, and into the private gardens only accessible to students and staff. We stopped to view the secret garden door, a tree planted in 1640, and the grave of the former dean whose daughter was the inspiration for Alice (of Wonderland fame). As this was the college Lewis Carroll spent many days, there are plenty of Alice references to be found, including the characters strategically, and almost secretly placed in a stained glass window in the Great Hall - which, by the way, was the Great Hall in Harry Potter.
Could these days get any better?
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