Bodleian

Oxford is the oldest English speaking university in the world. They claim an origin of at least 1201. Unsurprisingly, one of the later buildings was designed by none other than Christopher Wren. Is there anything this man did not do? The library got its first real start when Duke Humphrey donated his collection in the 15th century. Sir Thomas Bodley, husband of a rich widow, gave the library a giant donation and, thus, new life at the end of the 16th century.

Ranganathan's first law of Library Science is books are for use. The London Library takes this concept very seriously and lends out almost all materials. Oxford's Bodleian has a different tradition. They do not lend out anything. Even Charles I was denied the privilege, though a room was built specifically for his reading pleasure. To this day they still have chains on books. This idiosyncrasy is compensated for by the meticulous job the conservation department does in caring for the materials. Books are even stored backwards.

The Bodleian has copies of Blake's Songs of Innocence, The Book of Thel, and The Marriage of Heaven and Hell. My catnip!

Image from Bodleian website.