Studying in the Bodleian library has been a dream of mine since high school. The bodleian, just like the rest of Oxford is one of the oldest and most acclaimed places in the world. It is straight out of Harry Potter. Its 15th century and 17th century architecture make it like nothing you can see in the United States. It is certainly a but different than studying until 3am in Gorgas.
The Bodleian is made up of 26 individual libraries around the city of Oxford. As a UA in Oxford student we were allotted access to all 26 of these libraries.
Studying in the Bodleian is very prestigious and serious endeavour. When we walked up to the library doors for the first time there were crowds of tourists gathered just to look at the outside of the Old Bodleian. Imagine the looks of shock on their faces when a group of 20 year olds walked right past them and in to the library doors!
In order to be allowed to study in the Bodleian, every student must have their own library card made for them. On top of that we had to take an oath in which we stated that we would do no harm to the library. This oath is incredibly serious to the librarians who protect the library and its artifacts inside with their lives. They were made their rules very clear to us, and it worked because I found them sort of scary.
No amount of preparation could have prepared me for what studying in the Bodleian would be like. Everywhere you look there are kids, just like you studying there hardest just to feel like one of the greats who studied there too. In the Bodleian, you feel a sense of purpose that makes you want to study harder and be the best scholar you can be. Studying there was like nothing else I have ever experienced.
I am honored to have studied in one of the greatest, most historical, and prestigious libraries in the world. I would do anything to experience that feeling of sitting down in the Old Bodleian for the first time again.