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bodleian.ox.ac.uk
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
Oxford + relentless rain = medieval flood narratives ☔️

Noah’s Ark, from a 15th-century Book of Hours (c. 1440–1450).

📜 MS. Auct. D. inf. 2.11

#MedievalMonday
A medieval-style illustration depicting a wooden ark floating on colorful, stylized waves. A human figure appears at the top of the ark, reaching out from an opening, while another face is visible through a window. A rainbow arches over the ark. The background is adorned with intricate floral and vine patterns. Text in Latin is displayed below the image.
February 9, 2026 at 10:35 AM
bodleian.ox.ac.uk
A Sunday puzzle for you! 🔎

In this image, there are the portraits of Queen Victoria and eight of her family members - can you spot them all?

Results shared tomorrow... 👀

Shelfmark: Puzzle Pictures folder 2 (5)
An illustration of a floral bouquet featuring yellow pansies and violet flowers with green leaves. Below the bouquet, the text reads "The Royal Bouquet" and mentions various well-known entities such as Queen Victoria and Prince Albert whose profiles are hidden throughout the image
February 8, 2026 at 1:19 PM
Reposted by Bodleian Libraries
slobpodcast.bsky.social
In this thrilling bonus episode, Sophie talks to @richove.bsky.social about how the Oxford’s Bodleian came to own the manuscript of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. To see the manuscript, go to the Digital Bodleian: digital.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/objects/53fd...
@bodleian.ox.ac.uk #Frankenstein
February 6, 2026 at 8:02 AM
Reposted by Bodleian Libraries
richove.bsky.social
Really enjoyed my conversation with Sophie Gee for @slobpodcast.bsky.social on the #Frankenstein MS @bodleian.ox.ac.uk
slobpodcast.bsky.social Secret Life of Books Podcast @slobpodcast.bsky.social · 3d
In this thrilling bonus episode, Sophie talks to @richove.bsky.social about how the Oxford’s Bodleian came to own the manuscript of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. To see the manuscript, go to the Digital Bodleian: digital.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/objects/53fd...
@bodleian.ox.ac.uk #Frankenstein
February 6, 2026 at 8:41 AM
bodleian.ox.ac.uk
The Olympic Winter Games begin today! 🥇

To mark the occasion, we're looking back at how past host cities were mapped.

Many Olympic maps were designed for visitors, combining practical information with practical information about the games.

Here are some highlights from our collection ⬇️

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February 6, 2026 at 1:21 PM
bodleian.ox.ac.uk
An evening of books, buildings and big history ✨

Explore the origins of Oxford on this exclusive evening tour of the Bodleian Library and University Church of St Mary the Virgin.

📅 Thursday 19 February
🕔 5pm | 90–120 mins

Book now: https://visit.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/tours/origins-university-oxford
A bicycle is parked near a sign that reads "Radcliffe Square." In the background, there is a historic building with ornate architecture and pointed spires. Lush greenery surrounds the area under a clear blue sky. A view inside St. Mary's Church, showcasing its Gothic architecture. The image features stone arches, ornate wooden pews, and a detailed checkerboard tile floor leading to an altar with a prominent organ above. The ceiling is arched and wooden with visible support beams. The interior of the Duke Humfrey's Library with ornate wooden bookshelves filled with old books, and a decorative ceiling featuring intricate designs. Natural light illuminates reading tables with chairs neatly aligned. Portraits hang on the walls, adding to the scholarly ambiance.
February 5, 2026 at 4:55 PM
bodleian.ox.ac.uk
Exploring the Schwarzman Centre for the Humanities, the new home of the Bodleian Humanities Library.

...featuring a very familiar face! #Tolkien
A spacious, multi-level interior with a geometric glass ceiling. Several floors have glass-fronted offices or study areas. People are gathered at tables on the ground floor. The architecture is modern and open, with red and white seating visible. Entrance to the Bodleian Humanities Library, featuring open glass doors flanked by blue armchairs and shelves filled with books. A sign reading "Library Help Desk" is visible inside. A multi-story glass building reflecting the surrounding cityscape, including a partially visible historic stone structure with arched windows. The sky is clear with a few clouds. A bronze bust of J. R. R Tolkien is displayed on a wooden shelf in a modern interior space with large windows and natural light.
February 4, 2026 at 5:35 PM
Reposted by Bodleian Libraries
bodssloxford.bsky.social
Now that series 2 of BBC's 'The Night Manager' has come to an end, you might want to explore more books by the author that inspired the original series. Take a look at our pop-up book display & visit @bodleian.ox.ac.uk John le Carré: Tradecraft exhibition (on until 6th April) tinyurl.com/23vub3nk
A book display in the SSL with books by and about John le Carre, the focus of a current exhibition at the Bodleian Weston Library.
February 2, 2026 at 11:49 AM
Reposted by Bodleian Libraries
radcliffescilib.bsky.social
There's a week to go before the first of our new 'Focus & Finish' sessions at the RSL. Read more about the benefits of these librarian time-managed sessions (go.glam.ox.ac.uk/F&F) and book your place now. We'll help you get that specific task done & off the 'to do' list

go.glam.ox.ac.uk/Focusdates
A timer featuring an hour in five minute intervals. There is a coloured section indicating just under a quarter of an hour remains
January 29, 2026 at 4:03 PM
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
Reposted by Bodleian Libraries
bodssloxford.bsky.social
A couple of photos our Library Trainee took on a recent visit to @bodleian.ox.ac.uk impressive Offsite Storage warehouse, which contains over 10 million items. Items can be ordered to a Bodleian Library via SOLO and are usually delivered within 24 hrs. Find out more at: tinyurl.com/9s2zhzdm
Shelving units that run from to ceiling in the massive interior of the Bodleian Offsite Storage facility. Down an aisle in between Shelving units that run from to ceiling in the massive interior of the Bodleian Offsite Storage facility.
January 28, 2026 at 1:24 PM
Reposted by Bodleian Libraries
radcliffescilib.bsky.social
The Treasured exhibition comes to a close this week at the @bodleian.ox.ac.uk Weston library. Don't miss this last chance to explore the question of what makes a treasure - is it age, rarity, beauty or something else? Runs until February 1st
Graphic for the Exhibition. A text box in the centre of the image is filled with the name, date (Until 1st February), address (ST Lee Gallery, Weston Library) & Admission details (Free admission, no tickets required) for the exhibition. In the background, mainly obscured by the text, is part of an image of a pair of elephants
January 28, 2026 at 4:01 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
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!

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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
Reposted by Bodleian Libraries
stuartackland.bsky.social
It's Penguin Appreciation day today, here's one of the earliest we can find on a map, from John Senex's 'South America corrected from the observations comunicated to the Royal Society’s of London & Paris', 1710. More on the map here blogs.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/maps/2019/02... @bodleian.ox.ac.uk
January 20, 2026 at 11:21 AM
Reposted by Bodleian Libraries
davidmbarnett.bsky.social
For the Observer I wrote about the forthcoming @bodleian.ox.ac.uk exhibition on our relationship with our pets.

observer.co.uk/culture/art/...
Our pet obsession explored by the man who lived as a fox
Curated by an intrepid academic who has slept in gardens and scavenged from bins, a new exhibition examines our unbreakable bond with domestic animals
observer.co.uk
January 20, 2026 at 2:07 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
Reposted by Bodleian Libraries
erikasanderson.com
Many thanks to the @bodleian.ox.ac.uk for inviting Helen Davidge and myself to perform scenes from Jane Austen’s Emma today.

We’ll be back in October, performing excerpts from Georgette Heyer!
A glass case exhibit titled “Dancing with Austen”. Inside the case can be seen a pair of Regency ladies dancing slippers, a pale blue Regency dress and a Regency gentleman’s outfit in dark green and blue. In front of the case, Helen Davidge stands as Emma. She has dark hair in curls. She wears a white Regency dress with long white gloves and a necklace with a red jewel. Her arm is linked through with Erika Sanderson’s as Knightley. Erika wears a dark blue Regency tailcoat, with white shirt and cravat, and a green jacquard waistcoat. Her beige trousers are tucked into knee high black and brown riding boots.
January 18, 2026 at 7:59 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