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Bodleian Libraries
@bodleian.ox.ac.uk
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Amazing collections and breath-taking libraries. Facilitating research at the University of Oxford.

Readers: www.bodleian.ox.ac.uk
Visitors: visit.bodleian.ox.ac.uk
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bodleian.ox.ac.uk
Step into February through medieval eyes: Candlemas illuminates the month with glowing candles, while wintry traditions like ice-skating come alive in this beautiful manuscript! ❄️🕯️

Shelfmark: Bodleian Library MS. Douce 5

#MedievalMonday
Medieval manuscript page featuring a large decorative letter with floral motifs and detailed embellishments. Two figures are interacting near the bottom while ice-skating. Text is in Latin with red and blue accents. An ornate medieval manusctipy page featuring figures standing at an alter.
February 2, 2026 at 11:48 AM
bodleian.ox.ac.uk
Well-striped and well-read 🦓

Found in our archives: an illustration of a zebra in a C16 Greek Bible.

Shelfmark: MS. Laud Gr. 86, 389

#ZebraDay
A medieval illustration features three animals walking across a natural landscape with a sun rising in the background. One animal resembles a deer with antlers, another is similar to a large dog, and the third resembles a zebra with distinctive stripes. The scene includes handwritten text along the borders.
January 31, 2026 at 9:43 AM
bodleian.ox.ac.uk
EXHIBITION ENDING: Our Treasured exhibition closes this Sunday - there's still time to explore some of the renowned items from Bodleian collections.

Come and see for yourself and find out what you treasure most!

Find out more: https://visit.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/treasured
Cover of "What's On at the Weston" featuring the word "TREASURED" in gold. Below, pink elephants with wings are walking. Along the bottom, there are images of two men hugging, a classical painting, and two illuminated manuscripts.
January 30, 2026 at 11:16 AM
bodleian.ox.ac.uk
Today is #PuzzleDay! 🧩

We have been exploring the archives and spotted this 22-piece dissected puzzle, a forerunner of jigsaws! Produced c.1790, this puzzle is part of a series depicting varying childhood games.

Shelfmark: Ballam Collection Dissected Puzzles (72)
A bird's eye view of a puzzle, its box and guide poster. The box is a dark wooden box with a slide on lid. The puzzle is oval and depicts a scene of children playing marbles outside.
January 29, 2026 at 8:17 PM
bodleian.ox.ac.uk
Today we rang the Bodley Bell in Duke Humfrey’s Library to mark the anniversary of Sir Thomas Bodley’s death in 1613 🔔

Nine rings for the man, and 67 for every year of his life.

Rung by Ant Brewerton and Andrew Honey.

#ThomasBodley #OnThisDay
January 28, 2026 at 3:55 PM
bodleian.ox.ac.uk
FREE EVENT: Join @richove.bsky.social for an evening in conversation with Michael Moritz.

Michael will discuss his new memoir, ‘Ausländer’, the story of his Jewish parents’ escape from Nazi Germany.

🗓️ 18 Feb, 5.15–7pm
📍 Weston Library

https://visit.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/event/2026/feb/michael-moritz
Vintage black and white photo of an adult standing behind a child who is seated at a table with a large, lit menorah, celebrating Hanukkah. Book cover titled 'Ausländer' by Michael Moritz, featuring a black and white photograph of an adult and a child. A family photo with an elderly couple, a younger woman and two young children
January 23, 2026 at 8:23 PM
bodleian.ox.ac.uk
... Thankfully, King Charles I agreed and Rous was kept in one volume!

Shelfmarks: A 3.8-Jur; University of Oxford Archives WP y/25c/I, fol. 205r

#BodleianHistory #OrielCollege #KingCharlesI

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Interior view of the Duke Humfrey's Library, lined with wooden shelves full of books. Text overlays quote historical statements regarding library statutes.
January 22, 2026 at 12:38 PM
bodleian.ox.ac.uk
Rous had sworn to enforce the Library’s statutes, under which no book might be lent. He therefore went to see the King, taking the statutes with him...

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Portrait of John Rous in a black robe and white collar
January 22, 2026 at 12:38 PM
bodleian.ox.ac.uk
The book in question was Histoire Universelle by Theodore-Agrippa d’Aubigné (1552–1630), originally published in three volumes in 1616, 1618 and 1620, covers the French Wars of Religion.

[3/5]
An image displaying a historical document from King Charles's library, with a close-up of a handwritten note from John Ross, the University's Vice-Chancellor, quoting 'His Majesty's use is command to us'.
January 22, 2026 at 12:38 PM
bodleian.ox.ac.uk
During the English Civil War, Rous enforced library rules by refusing to lend a book to King Charles I when he was in Oxford.

[2/5]
Portrait of King Charles I of England, depicted in a decorative oval frame, wearing regal attire and a medallion.
January 22, 2026 at 12:38 PM
bodleian.ox.ac.uk
John Rous, the second-ever Bodley’s Librarian, was a Fellow of @orieloxford.bsky.social, which is celebrating the 700th anniversary of its foundation this year!

[1/5]
Two old, leather-bound volumes titled 'L'Histoire D'Angleterre', arranged standing upright with a caption noting these are books the Bodleian Library refused to lend to the King.
January 22, 2026 at 12:38 PM
bodleian.ox.ac.uk
The traditional Bodleian Oath which every reader is required to read aloud on seeking admission to the Bodleian Libraries. 🫡
An image showing a close-up view of the Bodleian Library's reader's declaration form with the grand interior of the library in the background.
January 21, 2026 at 6:04 PM
bodleian.ox.ac.uk
Shelfmark: Broxb. 51.14

#PenguinDay

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Image of a page from a book titled "Southward Bound" with a poem about traveling toward the sunset along the edge of a barrier. The text includes a subtitle "Lapsus Linguæ." The image includes a shelfmark at the bottom: Bodleian Library Broxb. 51.I.4.
January 20, 2026 at 3:38 PM
bodleian.ox.ac.uk
Take a look at the book: digital.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/objects/0c77...

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Book cover titled 'Under the Shadow of Erebus' featuring a lithograph by George Marston of a mountainous landscape.
January 20, 2026 at 3:38 PM
bodleian.ox.ac.uk
This copy was acquired by the collector Albert Ehrman who, with his wife, formed the Broxbourne Library at their home in Hertfordshire. It was then later presented to the Bodleian Library in 1978. 


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Cover of a publication titled 'An Interview With An Emperor,' featuring prose and verse contributions about life in the Antarctic, with a decorative border and an initial letter illustration.
January 20, 2026 at 3:38 PM
bodleian.ox.ac.uk
The penguin stamp at the front proudly declares it was “Printed at the sign of the Penguins” - possibly the coldest publishing address in history?!

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Image of a page from a book titled "Printed at the sign of the Penguins", describing members of an Antarctic expedition during winter quarters in June 1977, including illustrations and photographs by Joyce and Wild. The page also shows the title and layout details, marked with "TRADE MARK" at the bottom.
January 20, 2026 at 3:38 PM
bodleian.ox.ac.uk
Ernest Shackleton and his expedition brought a printing press with them so the team could create a book during the long, dark months on the ice.

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Image of a historical document titled "An Interview with an Emperor. Produced during the Antarctic Winter April-July 1908." Includes a red stamp at the bottom and a note stating, "A full printing press was taken to Antarctica (including type, inks and paper)."
January 20, 2026 at 3:38 PM
bodleian.ox.ac.uk
Happy Penguin Day! 🐧

This is Aurora Australis - a book written, illustrated, printed and bound in Antarctica during the winter of 1908.

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Cover of the book 'Aurora Australis' by Ernest Shackleton and his expedition team, created in Antarctica, featuring a stylized snowy landscape and the title displayed within an ornate frame, dated 1908-09.
January 20, 2026 at 3:38 PM
bodleian.ox.ac.uk
Guess the country 👀

From the first printed atlas, and the first copper engraved maps. Of 500 copies printed 26 are known to be still in existence.

Shelfmark: Bodleian Library Auct. K 1.17

Correct answer below 👇

#MedievalMonday
January 19, 2026 at 10:16 AM
bodleian.ox.ac.uk
Installing a new display at the Weston Library takes time and precision.

Dancing with Jane Austen is now open, featuring rare loans from Jane Austen’s House, including a manuscript music book copied in Jane Austen’s own hand.

A glimpse behind the scenes, before the final case came together.
January 17, 2026 at 9:24 AM
bodleian.ox.ac.uk
Duke Humfrey’s Library was voted the 4th most beautiful library in the world! 🌍

We are delighted to have received the trophy, recognising this honour from more than 200,000 book lovers worldwide.

Read more: https://www.1000libraries.com/post/2025-top-10-most-beautiful-libraries-in-the-world
The 1000 Libraries award trophy displayed on a wooden table inside Duke Humfrey’s Library, with historic bookcases and the decorated ceiling softly lit in the background. Interior view of Duke Humfrey’s Library, showing dark wooden bookcases filled with historic volumes, long reading tables, and an ornate painted ceiling with carved wooden arches. The 1000 Libraries award trophy positioned centrally in Duke Humfrey’s Library, aligned with the long aisle of bookcases and the richly painted, arched ceiling behind it. A symmetrical view down the central aisle of Duke Humfrey’s Library, with rows of wooden bookcases, reading desks, and a detailed painted ceiling leading towards a large arched window.
January 16, 2026 at 8:00 PM
bodleian.ox.ac.uk
Looking up in the Weston Library. 🆙

(You always spot a new detail)
Interiro view of the Weston Library showing various layers of wall and glass windows. The bottom floor houses rows of books on shelves
January 15, 2026 at 5:12 PM
bodleian.ox.ac.uk
COMING SOON: Pets & their People explores why humans keep animals close, and what our evolving relationships with pets may reveal about ourselves.

🗓️ 11 March – 27 September 2026
📍 Weston Library
🎟️ Free admission

Find out more: https://visit.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/event/pets-and-their-people
Promotional poster for 'Pets & Their People' exhibition at Weston Library, part of the Bodleian Libraries. Features a close-up illustration of a cat with a ruffled red collar.
January 14, 2026 at 5:36 PM
bodleian.ox.ac.uk
A city steeped in storytelling for centuries!

Join us on Sunday 24 January 1-3pm to explore the city of books on the Literary Oxford Tour!

Book now: https://visit.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/tours/literary-oxford-walking-tour
Architectural detail of an ornate corbel with a gargoyle motif under a building's eave, with Radcliffe Camera, an iconic Oxford landmark, visible in the background under a clear blue sky.
January 13, 2026 at 6:13 PM
bodleian.ox.ac.uk
Big Monday energy 😅

#MedievalMonday

Shelfmark: MS. Bodl. 264
Illustration from a medieval manuscript showing a figure in armor operating a large crossbow, with a humorous modern caption "when you've been invited to a meeting that could have been an email." The background includes detailed floral designs.
January 12, 2026 at 1:03 PM