Bodleian Libraries

Two people are in a library with shelves filled with books. They are standing at a table with several open documents. One person is wearing glasses and a scarf, and the other is gesturing while talking. The setting is scholarly and studious.

Director of the biopic 'Franz', Agnieszka Holland, visited the Bodleian to see the personal archive of the author including family photos and manuscripts.

Agnieszka's visit was organised with Kafka’s Transformative Communities project. Find out more here: https://www.kafka-research.ox.ac.uk/home

A medieval-style illustration depicting an individual seated in a study with a book open on a desk. The person holds a staff and wears a wide-brimmed hat. A lion lies on the patterned floor beside the chair. The scene is framed by an ornate floral border.

Happy World Book Day! 📚

MS. Aust. D. inf. 2. 13, fol. 209v

#WorldBookDay

The image shows five book covers displayed on a blurred background. The books are Burning the Books by Richard Ovenden, The Library Book by Susan Orlean, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert M. Pirsig, The Complete Poetical Works by Edgar Allan Poe, and Peer-e-Kamil by Umera Ahmed.

The image shows five book covers displayed on a blurred background. The books are American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis, The Reformatory by Tananarive Due, How to Kill a Witch by Zoe Venditozzi, The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown, and Not a Penny More, Not a Penny Less by Jeffrey Archer.

The image shows five book covers displayed on a blurred background. The books are The Hidden Prince by Tessa Afshar, Wormwood Abbey by Christina Baehr, Tears of the Wolf by Elisabeth Wheatley, The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson, and The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry.

The image shows five book covers displayed on a blurred background. The books are The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien, Babel, or the Necessity of Violence by R. F. Kuang, A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness, and A Sorceress Comes to Call by T. Kingfisher.

The image shows five book covers displayed on a blurred background. The books are Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison, My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante, A Month in the Country by J. L. Carr, Lonely Road by Nevil Shute, and The Vintage Dress Shop in Primrose Hill by Anne Darling.

The image shows five book covers displayed on a blurred background. The books are Serenade for Nadia by Zülfü Livaneli, The Black Obelisk by Erich Maria Remarque, La amortajada by María Luisa Bombal, La Gloire de mon père by Marcel Pagnol, and The Swallows of Kabul by Yasmina Khadra.

The image shows five book covers displayed on a blurred background. The books are Candide by Voltaire, The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins. The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka, Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov, and The Sign of the Four by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

The image shows five book covers displayed on a blurred background. The books are Great Expectations by Charles Dickens, Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë, Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë, The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde, and The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald.

A historic library interior with wooden shelves filled with books. Overlaid text reads: "We asked for your favourite books. Here are some of the recommendations you sent us... (Save this for your TBR).

In honour of #WorldBookDay and the #NationalYearOfReading, we asked our audience on Instagram to share their favourite book recommendations with us...

Here are 40 of their favourite books - it's time to update the TBR list! 📚

Interior of the Bodleian Library in Oxford, showing historic wooden bookcases and a decorated ceiling. In the foreground, a sign displays the traditional Bodleian Oath, which readers must read aloud before being admitted to use the library. The oath reads: 'I hereby undertake not to remove from the Library, or to mark, deface, or injure in any way, any volume, document, or other object belonging to it or in its custody; not to bring into the Library or kindle therein any fire or flame, and not to smoke in the Library; and I promise to obey all rules of the Library'

The traditional Bodleian Oath, which every reader is required to read aloud on seeking admission to the Bodleian Libraries 📚

#WorldBookDay

📷 | @bodleian.ox.ac.uk

The Clarendon Building at twilight featuring its coloumns and a muse figure on the roof. The statute appears to be holding up the full moon, creating an optical illusion.

The perfect spot at the perfect time!

Thank you for this fantastic picture of the Clarendon Building, Kshitij Mohan 👏

📸 | kshitijmohan.oxford (Instagram)

A detailed illustration of a red squirrel standing on a gray rock. The squirrel is depicted with a bushy tail and is surrounded by small plants. There is handwriting beneath the image.

Illustration of a heron standing on one leg near a pond. The bird has a long neck and pointed beak, with detailed feathers in shades of brown and black. Reeds are visible in the background.

Illustration of a hedgehog standing on a patch of mossy ground. The hedgehog is depicted in detail, showcasing its spiky coat and pointed snout. The background is plain and neutral.

Today is #WorldWildlifeDay!

Celebrating familiar wildlife from the archives, illustrated by Ferdinand Bauer (1760–1826):

🐿️ Sciurus vulgaris (MS Sherard 238, Pl. 8)
🪶 Ardea purpurea (MS Sherard 240, Pl. 79)
🦔 Erinaceus europaeus (MS Sherard 238, Pl. 6)

Copy of the event poster. Text over a large image of a pizza!

Next month the RSL is pleased to host the 'Talk About Your Thesis' event where Post Grads from across a number of disciplines come together to present an introduction to their work. Support your peers presentations then network over a free pizza lunch

go.glam.ox.ac.uk/thesis-talk

Illustration of a person riding a horse from Chaucer's Canterbury Tales, followed by text: "He was as fresh as the month of May."

Ancient manuscript page featuring ornate, colorful initial capital letter "L" with elaborate floral and vine decorations. The text is written in a medieval script, with a modern overlay text reading "She is the mirror of all courtesy."

Manuscript page with ornate floral designs in the left margin. Handwritten text covers most of the page. A blue highlighted quote reads, "And she was as beautiful as a rose in May."

Medieval manuscript page featuring a woodcut illustration of a knight on horseback, surrounded by text from Geoffrey Chaucer's "The Canterbury Tales." Text overlay reads: "A true, perfect noble Knight."

For #WorldComplimentDay, we’re turning to Chaucer for some Medieval praise - all quotations were curated by Dr Andrew Dunning.

📜 | MS Bodl. 686 (fol. 1r); MS Arch. Selden. B. 24 (fol. 192r); MS Rawl. D. 3 (fol. 1r); MS Douce 218 (fol. 16v).

#MedievalMonday

A medieval artwork depicts a God touching St David’s eyes. The background features a patterned blue design. Latin text is visible below the scene.

The top section shows a medieval manuscript illustration of a leek with blue and green leaves, and text in Latin.

A zoomed in piece of a medieval manuscript highlighting detailed daffodils intertwined with Latin text

A medieval manuscript showcasing a vibrant illustration of a daffodil and plants, including yellow and red blooms.

Dydd Gŵyl Dewi Hapus! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

Shelfmarks:
MS. Douce 211, fol. 252v
MS. Ashmole 1432, fol. 014v
MS. Douce 219, fol. 153r
MS. Ashmole 1504, fol. 009v

#StDavidsDay

The morning calm before the readers arrive. 📚

Duke Humfrey's Library, 8.30am

John le Carré walking along a tree-lined path. The image is in black and white, with the name "John le Carré" and the word "Tradecraft" in large orange text.

John le Carré: Tradecraft 🕵️‍♂️📚

An exhibition exploring the archive of John le Carré, from Oxford student to final drafts.

📍 Treasury, Weston Library
🎟️ Free, no ticket required

Find out more: https://visit.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/lecarre

A photograph of the book display shelves at the Taylorian Enquiry desk, featuring books by two Ukrainian writers-in-residence, Oleksandr Mykhed and Olena Stiazhkina. There are small biographies of each writer on the display as well.

24th February is the fourth anniversary of the invasion of Ukraine.

To mark this anniversary, we've created a book display featuring the work of two writers-in-residence, Oleksandr Mykhed and Olena Stiazhkina. These books can all be borrowed, so feel free to peruse🌻

The 4 books that make up the exhibition ‘Ukraine From Within’ in the Social Science Library.

‘Ukraine From Within’ is a week-long exhibition at the Social Science Library to mark the fourth anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on 24 February. The art books on display celebrate Ukraine’s creativity, diversity, & determination. Find out more at tinyurl.com/mr3hbmcf

@bodleian.ox.ac.uk

An illustration of a seated figure in a robe, featured in a historical manuscript style, alongside a wooden desk with an open book and inkwell. Above the figure, text reads, "Very wise is the one who knows himself."

An ornate medieval manuscript page with decorative borders and illustrations surrounding columns of text in a Gothic script. At the top, an illustration depicts people in a cathedral-like setting. At the bottom, there is another illustration with figures in various activities. In the center, a blue box contains the quote: "Take rest; a field that has rested gives a bountiful crop."

Medieval manuscript page with illuminated borders and figures, featuring intricate gold and colored detailing. The text reads, "For time lost cannot be recovered."

An ornate medieval manuscript page with intricate illustrations and gold detailing, featuring figures in flowing garments. In the center, there is decorative text reading, "It is not good to wake a sleeping dog."

In honour of #WorldThinkingDay yesterday, this #MedievalMonday we’re sharing alternatives to saying 'let me think about that' - all curated by Dr Andrew Dunning!

📖: Ovid, Epistulae ex Ponto; Geoffrey Chaucer, The Canterbury Tales.

🖼️: Auct. T.inf.2.7 (1v); Bodl. 264 (121v); Douce 366 (9v, 131r).

Illustrated poster for "Zine Fair" featuring a typewriter with colorful scribbles around it. Text includes details: "Weston Library, 11 to 3 pm, Saturday 28th Feb, Free admission, Broad Street Oxford OX1 3BG.

EVENT: Bodleian Zine Fair - Sat 28 Feb

The Zine Fair returns for its fourth year, celebrating zine-making and self-publishing by Oxford students! This year’s theme is ‘The Writer’s Process’.

📍 Weston Library | 11:00–15:00
🎟️ Free, drop in

Find out more: https://visit.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/zine-fair

Medieval manuscript illustration featuring a human figure in a patterned robe gesturing towards a rabbit playing a horn. The scene is adorned with decorative floral elements and gold accents.

Medieval manuscript illustration showing a person riding a donkey, followed by a running dog and a wolf. The scene is surrounded by decorative floral patterns with gold leaves. The text above is in Old French.

A medieval manuscript illustration features a person seated, adorned with a gold robe, and gesturing towards a green parrot perched on their hand. The scene is bordered by intricate blue and gold designs.

A medieval illustration depicting a person holding a circular object, possibly a mirror or shield, facing a creature resembling a goat with a long, curved tail. The scene includes decorative foliage with multicolored leaves. The background is parchment-like, typical of manuscript art.

Love Your Pet Day 🐾

Medieval manuscripts are full of dogs, birds, rabbits and other companions. Sometimes helpful, often looking chaotic!

Shelfmark: Bodl. 264, fols. 20v, 57v, 58r, 20v
More pet content coming soon: Pets and Their People opens 11 March at the Weston Library.

Some views never get old!

📍 Radcliffe Camera

Medieval illustration of two fish with small red spots. Below, a circular frame contains a similar depiction of two fish against a blue background. Surrounding text is in an old script.

Medieval illustrations of fish: the top image shows two elongated fish with spots; the bottom left has a circular design with two crossed fish; the bottom right features two blue fish in a golden circle.

It's Pisces Season! ♓🐟

Medieval artists showed Pisces as two fish, a symbol inherited from mythology and used to mark the 12th zodiac sign.

Shelfmarks:
MS. Bodl. 266, fol. 109v
MS. Rawl. D. 1220, fol. 005r
MS. Rawl. C. 117, fol. 153r
MS. Digby 46, fol. 079v
MS. Lat. liturg. e. 1, fol. 3v

A portrait of Richard Ovenden, wearing a suit, smiling. He is sat down and holding an open book.

We’re delighted to welcome Bodley’s Librarian, @richove.bsky.social as the speaker for the Friends of the Bodleian Annual Lecture this May.

Friends of the Bodleian enjoy free tickets, early booking, and access to exclusive events throughout the year: https://visit.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/friends

Detailed watercolour illustration of the Sultanahmet Mosque in Istanbul. The building has a large central blue dome, multiple smaller domes, and tall minarets topped with crescents. Trees and smaller architectural structures appear in the foreground.

Two illuminated manuscript pages in Arabic script. Each page shows black calligraphy arranged in neat lines within a gold and coloured frame. Small circular gold medallions mark verse divisions. The pages are decorated with fine floral and geometric details in blue and gold on cream paper.

Watercolour illustration of four barefoot men walking in a line. They wear simple robes and tall white hats, and carry musical instruments including a tambourine and a drum. The figures are lightly coloured in muted tones against a plain background.

Watercolour illustration of a bearded man wearing a turban and simple garments, holding a walking staff. He leads a domesticated stag with large antlers on a rope. The stag wears a small bell around its neck. The background is plain and uncoloured.

Ramadan Mubarak 🌙

Wishing a peaceful month to our Muslim students, colleagues and Readers.

Ramadan and pilgrimage in our collections:
🕌 Sultanahmet Mosque (Bodl. Or. 430, fol 57r)
📖 Sūrat al-Baqarah, Tīpū’s Qurʾān (Bodl. Or. 793, fols 24a–24b)
🧳 Pilgrims to Mecca (Bodl. Or. 430, fols 145r & 148r)

Two people in traditional attire stand beside a horse under a tree. The scene is depicted in an East Asian style painting. One person holds a stick while the other is near the horse, which has a blue harness.

新年快乐，马年吉祥 - Happy Lunar New Year, wishing you an auspicious Year of the Horse! 🐴

2026 is the year of the horse, an important motif in Chinese mythology. Our featured image is from a 16th-century album of paintings by Qian Gu (Shelfmark: MS.Chin.c.16).

A medieval-style illustration depicts a mythological creature with a human-like face and a serpent body being pulled by a person. The caption reads, "me trying to keep my thesis on track."

Turns out Medieval scribes also understood the struggle... maybe 😅

Shelfmark: MS. Bodl. 264

#MedievalMonday