The Bodleian Library

The Bodleian Library (or just ‘the Bod’ to students) is one of the most important libraries in the whole country. In order to help you with your visit, we’ve put together the ultimate guide to the Bodleian Library. Enjoy!

The Bodleian Library is the main research library of the University of Oxford, and is one of the oldest libraries in Europe. With over 12 million items, it is the second largest library in Britain after the British library. In was created in 1602 in the wake of the English Reformation, during which many of Oxford University’s Catholic texts were burned. It is said that at this period of tumult, Oxford University – the seat of learning in England – had only 10 books remaining in its once extensive archives.

Some of the most famous treasures of the Library include:

• One of only 21 surviving complete copies of the Gutenberg Bible(c. 1455).
• Shakespeare’s first collection of plays, the First Folio (1623).
• One of 11 known surviving copies of the first book printed in North America – Bay Psalm Book- and the only copy outside the United States (1640).
• The first book printed in Arabic with moveable type.

Thomas Bodley, who founded the library and populated it with his private collection, is therefore credited as the man who saved Oxford University. Whilst it isn’t possible to enter most of the Bodleian as a tourist, there are parts of the library which are open to the public. These include the stunning Divinity School.

Mon-Fri: 9.00-22.00, Sat: 10.00-16.00, Sun: 11.00-17.00