Yesterday, thanks to Mr. Kyle Spencer, Dr. Neal McCrillis, and Mr. Larry Kees, I had an experience that few people can say they've had. Along with fellow students from CSU, and Mr. and Mrs. Larry Kees, we were given a private tour of the Bodleian Library by retired Library Director, Mr. David Vaisey.
Mr. David Vaisey, "Bodley's Librarian"
First: a bit of history about the Bodleian Library. It's the second largest library in the United Kingdom, and one of the premier research libraries in the world. While its origins started by a well-meaning bishop in the 1300's, the original book bequest was given by Duke Humphrey, younger brother to King Henry V, in about 1480. The early library went through decline due to a lack of benefactors, until Sir Thomas Bodley, diplomat for Queen Elizabeth I, made restoring the library one of his life's legacies. It re-opened under his patronage in 1602, and since 1610 has received a copy of EVERY BOOK ever published in England. Today their collection numbers over ten million books, plus numerous manuscripts, sculptures, coins, artifacts, and various other items. Here's a link to learn more about the library's rich heritage:
Now, to Mr. Vaisey: what a fascinating man! In the library's history since re-opening in 1602, the Bodleian has only had 24 directors, who were each given the title of "Bodley's Librarian." Mr. Vaisey began working in the Bodleian in the 1960's as a junior library assistant, and worked his way up to the prestigious position of director from 1986-1996 when he retired.
While guiding us through the labyrinth of the Bodleian's oldest section, dating from the Middle Ages, he shared stories of the various changes made to libraries worldwide as a result of the experiences of readers and researchers using the Bodleian.
The library began with the room pictured above. This room was the one originally planned by the Bishop of Worcester, who ran out of funds. Then local masters of the University of Oxford, desperate for somewhere to house their personal book collections, appealed to Duke Humphreys, who provided some funds, but that also ran short before the building was completed. Finally, it was finished and opened in 1550. This room was the lecture hall, and above it stood the library room itself. Due to the delicate nature of the antique books stored in the room above, we weren't allowed to take photographs of the space :( But to view books as old as the 1200's, and on subjects like philosophy, theology, and science... well, it was beyond words.
Factoid: Books during the middle ages were stored bind side in, and attached with a chain to the shelf, which stood in rows throughout the library. Readers consulted a directory to locate the correct shelf for their volume of interest. They then pulled the chain to release the book, and the reader stood at a lectern while reading the book (which was either in Latin, High German, Greek, or Hebrew - no English, that's rubbish according to Sir Bodley!). Sir Bodley decided this storage method was highly impractical, and unchained the books, stored them binds out, and added shelving along the walls, chairs, and desks for reading. The user-friendly library method was born!
This artifact is a wooden chair fashioned from beams extracted from the ship of Sir Francis Drake. When the ships of this famous international explorer of the Elizabethan era were being demolished, a local carpenter used some salvaged wood to create a few pieces of furniture. This chair is one of only three in existence. The poem, written by A. Cowley, reads:
To this great Ship which round the Globe has run,
And matcht in Race the Chariot of the Sun,
This Pythagorean Ship (for it may claim
Without presumption so deserv'd a Name,
By knowledge once and transformation now)
In her New Shape this sacred Port allow.
Drake and his Ship could not have wish'd from Fate,
A more blest Station, or more blest Estate.
For Lo! a Seat of endless Rest is given,
To her in Oxford, and to him in Heaven.
Mr. Vaisey shared so many wonderful things with us about the heritage of the Bodleian library. After our tour was complete, he graciously allowed us to have a photograph with him. So, here we are, seeking to be learned scholars, who will actually get to do research in this historic place once term starts next week.
(photo taken by the lovely Mrs. Rhonda Kees)
Isn't David Vaisey incredible? Keep up the great posts! This is already a great resource for students planning for arrive in Spring
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