Bodleian Library, the main research library of Oxford University - one of the oldest libraries in Europe and the second largest library of the United Kingdom, second only to the British Library. Bodleian Library is one of six British Library, with the right to a mandatory copies. Also here are sent a copy of the mandatory publishing of the Irish Republic. The library does not issue the book in his hands, the books can only be used in the reading rooms.

The library occupies a complex of five buildings on Broad Street in Oxford, also in various places in Oxford, the colleges are located across its branches and offices. When recording to the library readers bring a special oath. Previously, it was oral, and now readers in writing (in the native language you can) promise that will not spoil and make a book from the library and other property, will not bring any fire in the library, do not smoke, and will follow the rules of the library. The original Latin text of the oath does not include the point about smoking.

The first building specifically for the library was built in the XIV century on the orders of Thomas Cobham .  Book it were chained to the shelves - it was possible to read them, and learn from the library - no .  Chain fastened a wheel that is built into the cover of the book (not the spine), and the books were on the shelves roots of the reader .  In the XV century Duke Humphrey of Gloucester donated to the library a large collection of manuscripts .  At the same time it built a new reading room, which is still known as the Duke Humphrey's Library .  At the end of the XVI century library is experiencing hard times, it sold a large part of the collection from the collection of the Duke Humphrey survived all three volumes .  Thomas Bodley, a graduate of Merton College, restored the library at their own expense and donated an extensive collection of library books .  Bodley made an agreement with the London book publishers to transfer the library obligatory copies of all printed books, and for a long time served as the Library of the National Library .  Library Holdings grew, expanded storage space, the library occupied the new buildings .  Rotunda Ratcliff, a beautiful building in the English Palladian style became a symbol of the library . 

In 1914, the number of items the library has exceeded 1 million. Now the libraries in the system Bodleian stored more than 11 million units.

Until recently, the library was forbidden to photocopy materials, but now readers can make copies of almost all publications issued after 1900, and with the help of library staff - to obtain copies of earlier editions. Also allowed hand-held scanners and digital cameras. Most of the materials transferred to microfilm or digital media, especially rare and dilapidated copies.