How to get into British University libraries, 1920s

[jat_sapphire]

I'm writing fiction about a schoolmaster with an external degree earned after service in WWI. I gather his degree would most likely have been granted by the University of London, though he sat his exams elsewhere. He needs to do primary research for a book he is writing, and the papers he needs to see (I looked up their real location) are at the

Comments

[bopeepsheep]

The rules of admission to the [Bodleian] Library have not substantially changed since the 17th century. Bodley's promise would have been administered in Latin, not English, unless there was a good reason not to do so, but otherwise the general rules were similar, just stricter - no outside students, no locals with a whim. A letter or personal introduction from a recognised person with strong affiliation to the University*, would be ok for general access. For manuscript access either Bodley's Librarian or the Superintendent of Duke Humfrey's Library [note spelling!] might wish to interview the man, but it would depend what he wanted access to and why. Gloves would be allowed, pencils were allowed, and I'm fairly sure that in the 1920s there was very little in the way of security, given the number of later-reported thefts during that period (usually, books turned up in people's libraries after their death and were returned to the Library). It was a 'gentleman's agreement' set-up and gentlemen were not supposed to steal. (Theft from open shelves was possible, theft of manuscripts much less so.)

I am not sure what books on the history of Bodley are available outside Oxford but there are resources in existence, and I'll see what titles I can dredge up from my memory. I worked in the Admissions Office, but obviously about 80 years too late for your character! (I'd have let him in with an acceptable referee's name, on modern rules.)

* In practice things might be more lax than the rules suggested, even then - an Oxford graduate might be acceptable, not just a Don. It's always been the privilege of the admitting Officer to offer or deny admission regardless of the letter of the rules, or to apply the rules as strictly as desired. Ask Charles I.

[deepbluemermaid]

Ask Charles I.

Hee! I just love that story. One of the many postcards I bought at the Bod gift shop was a reproduction of either Charles' borrowing request or the reply denying him the privilege.

I wonder whether the Librarian at that time was a supporter of Parliament or just a stickler for the rules...

[bopeepsheep]

Good question! DNB says The presence of soldiery from both sides posed a threat; and [John] Rouse received a request from King Charles for the loan of Agrippa d'Aubigné's Histoire universelle, a request which he declined, in conformity with the statutes of the library. The king gracefully accepted the refusal. Although his own sympathies may have been with the parliament, Rouse subscribed £50 in 1643 to maintain soldiers. I suspect he was just being very careful either way. :D

Oh yes, OP: the Bodley's Librarian you want for your purposes is Sir Arthur Cowley, who oversaw the separation of the law and science libraries, and suggested the building of the New Bod.

[jat_sapphire]

Sorry for the spelling gaffe, and I would HUGELY appreciate a history of Bodley if you do remember any titles. I think I can work in a personal introduction, in fact that's how I wanted to do it.

The thread about the Charles I story inspired another Google search that did turn up Annals of the Bodleian Library in Googlebooks, though its coverage sadly ends in 1867, and a 1919 publication called The Bodleian Library at Oxford, Briefly Described. Googlebooks: like a pinata, in a way--you have to know how to hit it and try again and again.

Thanks!