Gladstone Link

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Gladstone Link is an underground library that connects the Bodleian Library with the Radcliffe Camera.[1] It was developed and opened to readers on 5 July 2011. It is named after former Prime Minister William Gladstone, who had also studied at Christ Church.[2] It is more modern than traditional Oxford Libraries, many of which are members of the Bodleian Libraries.[3]

History[]

The tunnels in which the library is now located were previously the Underground Bookstore.[4] The tunnels were used for transporting books between the Old Bodleian and New Bodleian libraries (now Weston Library) and to the Radcliffe Camera. The books were transported via conveyor; a section of this system is preserved in the New Bodleian tunnel.[citation needed]

When the New Bodleian was developed into the Weston Library, a shift to open shelving was made so that the transportation of books from the vaults was no longer needed.[5] This development changed the way books and materials were moved around the Central Bodleian Complex.[4]

Layout[]

The Gladstone Link has two levels, the upper and lower levels. The Gladstone Link is accessed via the lower reading room in the Radcliffe Camera. A platform lift provides greater access for readers with disabilities.[6] From the Bodleian side, access is available via a tunnel from the north staircase.[3]

The Upper Gladstone Link is home to the History Faculty main lending library, which continues from the Lower Camera Reading Room.[3]

The Lower Gladstone Link houses a collection of widely read Bodleian library material which was previously only available by request off closed stacks.[3]

References[]

  1. ^ "Gladstone Link". Bodleian Libraries. Retrieved 2021-03-14.
  2. ^ "BBC - History - Historic Figures: William Ewart Gladstone (1809 - 1898)". www.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 2021-03-14.
  3. ^ Jump up to: a b c d https://libguides.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/c.php?g=422829&p=2887357. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  4. ^ Jump up to: a b "Gladstone Link (previously Underground Bookstore)". Bodleian Libraries. Retrieved 2021-03-14.
  5. ^ "Gladstone Link (previously Underground Bookstore) - Bodleian Libraries". 2011-06-17. Archived from the original on 2011-06-17. Retrieved 2021-03-14.
  6. ^ "Gladstone Link (previously Underground Bookstore) - Bodleian Libraries". 2011-06-17. Archived from the original on 2011-06-17. Retrieved 2021-03-16.

Retrieved from ""