The Bodleian Library, the main research library of the University of Oxford, is one of the oldest libraries in Europe and the second largest library in the UK, second only to the British Library. The Bodleian Library is one of six UK libraries with legal copy rights. A mandatory copy from the Republic of Ireland Publishing House is also sent here. The library does not lend out books; books can only be used in the reading rooms.
The library occupies a complex of five buildings on Broad Street in Oxford, in addition to its branches and branches in various places in Oxford, in different colleges. When registering in the library, readers take a special oath. Previously, it was oral, but now readers promise in writing (can be in their native language) that they will not damage or remove books and other property from the library, will not bring any fire into the library, will not smoke, and will follow the rules of the library. The original Latin text of the oath does not include a clause about smoking.
The first building specifically for the library was built in the 14th century by order of Thomas Cobham. The books in it were chained to the shelves - it was possible to read them, but not to take them out of the library. The chains were attached to a ring embedded in the cover of the book (not the spine), and the books stood on the shelves with the spines facing away from the reader. In the 15th century, Duke Humphrey of Gloucester donated a large collection of manuscripts to the library. At the same time, a new reading room was built, which is still known as Duke Humphrey's Library. At the end of the 16th century, the library was going through difficult times, most of the collection was sold out, and only three volumes from Duke Humphrey’s collection survived. Thomas Bodley, a graduate of Merton College, restored the library at his own expense and donated an extensive collection of books to the library. Bodley made an agreement with London book publishers to provide the library with a mandatory copy of all printed books, and for a long time the library served as a national library. The library's holdings grew, storage areas expanded, and the library occupied new buildings. The Ratcliffe Rotunda, a beautiful building in the English Palladian style, has become the symbol of the library.
In 1914, the number of library items exceeded 1 million. Currently, the libraries included in the Bodleian system contain over 11 million items.
Until recently, photocopying of materials was prohibited in the library, but now readers can make copies of almost all printed publications published after 1900, and with the help of library staff, obtain copies of earlier publications. Handheld scanners and digital cameras are also permitted. Most of the materials were transferred to digital media or microfilm, especially rare and dilapidated copies.
