The Bodleian completes book relocation

The Bodleian Library has now completed the transfer of the majority of its books to its new storage facility in Swindon. Seven million books have been transferred from a number of storage areas to the new space some 20 kms from Oxford.

The books have been relocated in order to have them all in one location and because the New Bodleian library building in Oxford was closed last year for renovation and remodernisation.

The Bodleian, which has 11 million volumes, is the second largest library in the United Kingdom to the British Library and, like its counterpart in London, is required to carry a copy of every new book published.

The Bodleian, which was founded in 1602, administers 40 facilities serving Oxford University and says that if a book stored in Swindon is ordered by 10.00 it will be delivered to an Oxford reading room by 15.00 the same day.

The New Bodleian building in the centre of Oxford was completed in 1940 and is now listed as Grade II historic building. It was closed in July 2011 for restoration and renovation and will reopen in 2015 in its new guise as the Weston Library.

The renovated building will have more public display areas for exhibitions of priceless documents and books, better services for students and researchers and the latest in IT systems.

The New Bodleian will be renamed the Weston Library after its main benefactor the Garfield Weston Foundation. Oxford University and Blackwell