Libraries Are My Passion

J.K. Rowling is from Edinburgh and wrote some of her books while at The Elephant House which is a cute little cafe that has a view of the castle from the back room. It is believed that Rowling got the inspiration for Tom Riddle's name from the nearby cemetery, Greyfriar's Kirkyard, where there is a grave for Thomas Riddell.

Andrew Carnegie funded many of America's library buildings, but also funded the first Carnegie Library in his hometown of Dunfermline, Scotland. As you can see, the library uses Dewey.

I was able to briefly visit the central public library in Edinburgh and also the National Library of Scotland which is conveniently located right across the street. The central public library uses Library of Congress classification for it's nonfiction.

I didn't get to spend much time in the British Library, but it is an impressive and busy place. The collection of King George III is amazing and located smack in the middle of the library going up several floors, encased in glass. In the exhibit area I did get to see a Gutenberg Bible, the Magna Carta, musical compositions from Handel, writings of Jane Austin, Shakespeare, sketches by da Vinci, and a display of handwritten song lyrics from the Beatles. Unfortunately, no pictures were allowed for this area. I also wanted to view the famous circular reading room at the British Museum, but it no longer houses books and is currently closed.

What do these pictures remind you of? Parts of the Harry Potter movies were filmed in and inspired by places in Oxford. Also, authors C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, and Lewis Carroll spent time in Oxford.

Unfortunately, the public library I came across in Oxford was closed for remodeling when I was there. Old Public Library Building - "Studies serve for delight, for ornament and for abilities" Old Library in Christ Church College

Some of the most famous libraries in Oxford are the Bodleian Libraries. Unfortunately, no pictures are allowed of the inside and although I did see Duke Humfrey's library, I can't show you a picture of it. The Duke Humphrey's Library is on the third floor of this building below. The Latin inscription says: "QUOD FELICITER VORTAT ACADEMICI OXONIENSIS BIBLIOTHECAM HANC VOBIS REIPUBLICAEQUE LITERATORUM T(HOMAS). B(ODLEY). P(OSUIT).", which translates to: "Academicians of Oxford, Thomas Bodley has built this library for you and for the Republic of the Learned. May the gift turn out well. " During the tour we were told that the library is on the third floor to keep it from floods, etc. Thomas Bodley also instructed that there be no open flame in the library (makes sense) so in the days before electricity, all reading had to be done during the daylight hours! The Radcliffe Camera below includes a reading room and currently holds history materials for ...