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Oxford, one of the finest reading hubs in the world, is known to feature some of the most prominent libraries and literary works of all time. With Oxford’s ancient architecture and the popularity of its modern diversity, the libraries over there incorporate the work of significant authors and poets. Are you prepared to see some of the most stunning libraries in Oxford? These libraries in Oxford are really significant regarding the knowledge they render. This list shows the 10 most well-known libraries in Oxford.
1. The Codrington Library (All Souls College)
Location – Radcliffe Square, Oxford
Visiting Days – Monday to Friday
Opening Hours – 10 am to 4:30 pm
Fee – Free
Why Visit – Like all the other libraries in Oxford, the Codrington Library operates independently. The heritage of Britain and early modern Europe, as well as military history, are particular strengths of its current collections.
2. Duke Humfrey’s Library (The Bodleian Libraries)
Location – Catte St, Oxford
Visiting Days – Monday – Sunday
Opening Hours – Monday – Friday: 9 am – 5 pm. Saturday: 10 am – 5 pm. Sunday: 11 am – 5 pm
Fee – £2 for lost items
Why Visit – Duke Humfrey’s Library is among the oldest libraries in Oxford and a favourite destination for Oxford students and faculty alike. The library has more than 4,250,000 books and 50,000 manuscripts. The library is primarily a research facility, hence patrons are not allowed to take materials from the study areas.
3. The Fellows’ Library (Jesus College)
Location – Jesus College, Cambridge
Visiting Days – Monday – Friday
Opening Hours – Monday to Thursday – 9 am – 12 pm and 2 – 5 pm; Friday 9 am – 12 pm and 2 – 4 pm.
Fee – Adults £3, seniors and children over 5 £2
Why Visit – The Fellows’ Library is worth a visit because of its spectacular galleried interior, with dark wood panelling and ancient bookshelves. You’ll also find the most exclusive literary works there. The Fellows’ Library stands to be one of the most visited libraries in Oxford that has also received consistent financing to restore its former splendour.
4. Lincoln College Library
Location – Lincoln College, Turl Street, Oxford
Visiting Days – Open on All days except Thursdays
Opening Hours – 8:30 a.m – 2 p.m
Fee – Free
Why Visit – The Library contains 85 available study rooms, many books to borrow, and the option to purchase additional books if necessary. The helpful staff in the Lincoln University Library is available to ensure that students have access to and effectively use the University’s extensive collection of research materials. Lincoln College is conveniently located within a two-minute walk from the world-famous Bodleian Library and the Radcliffe Camera.
5. The Upper Library (Merton College)
Location – Merton Street, Oxford
Visiting Days – Monday- Sunday
Opening Hours – Monday to Friday 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm – last entry 4:30 pm; Saturday 10:00 am – 5:00 pm – last entry 4:30 pm, Sunday 12:00 noon – 5:00 pm – last entry 4:30 pm.
Fee – £5.00 for adults, £3.00 for adults aged over 65 and children aged 13-17
Why Visit – The Merton College Library is one of the oldest academic libraries in Oxford. Their staff members always keep on maintaining current library collections, with a focus on required readings for both undergraduate and graduate courses.
6. The Old Library (Oxford Union)
Location – Frewin Court, Oxford, Oxfordshire
Visiting Days – Monday- Friday
Opening Hours – Monday to Friday 09:30 – 19:00, Saturday 11:00 – 17:00
Fee – £3-£5
Why Visit – The Oxford Union Old Library is a stunning example of Victorian architecture and one of the most magnificent libraries in Oxford. Students are drawn to this library because of its attractive design and extensive collection. People from all over the world, both visitors and students, have marvelled at these murals, which depict scenes from Arthurian legend.
7. The Upper Library (The Queen’s College)
Location – The Queen’s College, The High Street, UK
Visiting Days – Monday- Sunday
Opening Hours – 24 Hours a day for members; Visitors allowed between 12:00 and 12:45 on Saturdays
Fee – Free
Why Visit – The Upper Library (The Queen’s College) has been featured on several international lists of the most beautiful reading rooms in the world. Most of the library’s collection is now kept in the Lower Library, formerly an open cloister beneath the main building. The Upper Library has a storied history and is widely renowned for its extraordinary rare book collection. It has over 100 thousand volumes and covers an astoundingly broad range of topics.
8. The Radcliffe Camera (The Bodleian Libraries)
Location – Radcliffe Sq, Oxford
Visiting Days – Monday – Sunday
Opening Hours – Monday – Friday: 9 am – 9 pm; Saturday: 10 am – 6 pm; Sunday: 11 am – 7 pm
Fee – Audio tour £2.50, minotaur £5, standard tour £7, extended tour £13, From £6
Why Visit – The Radcliffe Camera is an iconic library of Oxford and is visited by many people from all over the world. This library is a landmark achievement because of its first circular structure and disciplined maintenance. Radcliffe Camera was hailed as an architectural masterpiece at the time of its construction. Their prominent collection is signed by numerous renowned authors and appeared in multiple acclaimed television programmes. Almost 5000 articles are added to the archive weekly, which keeps rising.
9. St Edmund Hall’s Library
Location – Queen’s Lane, Oxford, England
Visiting Days – Monday to Friday
Opening Hours – Monday to Friday between 8:30 am and 5 pm
Fee – Free
Why Visit – St. Edmund’s Hall has a library housed with one of the oldest churches in Oxford. You may be surprised that the church has been deconsecrated and is next to a crypt still in use. Wells and quadrangles, two more defining features of mediaeval architecture, are found nearby and add to the overall mediaeval feel of this location.
10. Taylor Institution (The Bodleian Libraries)
Location – Taylor Institution Saint Giles’, Oxford
Visiting Days – Monday- Saturday
Opening Hours – Monday- Friday 09:00 – 19:00; Saturday 10.00 – 18:00
Fee – £9
Why Visit – The Taylor Institution Library is the University’s hub for research into and instruction in languages and literature of modern Europe other than English. Books in French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, and theoretical grammar and linguistics make up the bulk of this library’s collection of Western European Modern Languages.
Things get evolved each year, but one constant will always be that Oxford University is teeming with more and more libraries to improvise their learning material for students. There are over 100 libraries in Oxford, making it the largest network of libraries in the UK! So, don’t set the alarms off, and don’t write in books – visit these Libraries in Oxford to get the best reading experience ever! Also, don’t forget to talk too loudly there!
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