Bodley's American Friends
Welcome to the Home Page of Bodley's American Friends - a group of people living in the United States, and Americans living elsewhere, who provide support for the Bodleian Library in Oxford.
The Bodleian is one of the greatest libraries of advanced study and research in the world. For centuries it has served hundreds of thousands of Oxford students and academics, and countless international scholars. Opening its doors in 1602, through the remarkable efforts of Sir Thomas Bodley, it was the first major public library in Britain. From the time of its foundation the Bodleian has looked for support from individuals who care about learning, and who believe in the importance of a first-class library.
| Mailing Address | Administrator Bodley's American Friends The Bodleian Library Oxford OX1 3BG United Kingdom |
| Telephone from the U.S.A. |
011 44 1865 277234 |
| Fax from the U.S.A. |
011 44 1865 277187 |
| baf@bodley.ox.ac.uk | |
| Subscription Address | Ralph H. Smith II (Administrator, American Trust for Oxford University) General Counsel The University of Alabama System 401 Queen City Avenue Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35401-1551 |
| Telephone | 205-348-8345 |
| Fax | 205-348-5206 |
| rsmith@uasystem.ua.edu |
Membership of Bodley's American Friends entails an annual subscription. A renewal form will be sent annually. To learn what benefits a subscription brings, click on the relevant category.
| $40 a year | Friend | |
| $70 a year | Friend - Dual Membership | |
| $100 a year | Honourable Friend | |
| $2000 |
Life Friend |
Category FRIEND [$40 a year]
The benefits of individual membership are:
Two issues a year of the Friends' Newsletter with articles about the Library's work, new developments, acquisitions, and the activities of Bodley's American Friends.
On presentation of a current membership card a discount on the price of a reader’s ticket for the Library, subject to the Library's normal admission requirements. This entitles the holder to:
- Use of the Bodleian and its network of specialist libraries including the Law Library, the Bodleian Library of Commonwealth and African Studies at Rhodes House, the Japanese Library, the Indian Institute Library, the Vere Harmsworth Library and the Radcliffe Science Library.
- Obtain information and advice about the Bodleian's collections and services, including the use of the computer catalogue.
- Order books and other materials from the stacks by telephoning the Library in advance of a visit (printed books on 01865 277184, western manuscripts on 01865 277152.
Opportunities to meet the Bodleian's librarians, and other Friends who share an interest in books.
Free place on a standard tour of the Old Bodleian Library. Special extended tour of the Library for groups by prior arrangement.
A 10 per cent discount, on production of a current membership card, on items purchased from the Library's shop (except on books not published by the Bodleian). Access to mail order.
Pass obtainable from the Admissions Office enabling members to take guests to visit Arts End of Duke Humphrey’s Library
Invitations to occasional events for Friends held in the USA.
Friends are welcome to attend private views of exhibitions at the Bodleian, lunchtime lectures about the Library and other events organised for Friends, should they be in Oxford.
An annual event at the Sheldonian Theatre with talks by Bodley's Librarian and a guest speaker, afternoon tea, and an exhibition of books and manuscripts purchased with the help of the Friends.
Category FRIEND - DUAL MEMBERSHIP [$70 a year]
The benefits of individual membership [see below] for two people at the same address, including separate reader's cards (subject to the Library's normal admission requirements).
Unless you wish otherwise, we will send only one copy of the Newsletter and other communications to the household.
The benefits of individual membership are:
Two issues a year of the Friends' Newsletter with articles about the Library's work, new developments, acquisitions, and the activities of Bodley's American Friends.
On presentation of a current membership card a discount on the price of a reader’s ticket for the Library, subject to the Library's normal admission requirements. This entitles the holder to:
- Use of the Bodleian and its network of specialist libraries including the Law Library, the Bodleian Library of Commonwealth and African Studies at Rhodes House, the Japanese Library, the Indian Institute Library, the Vere Harmsworth Library and the Radcliffe Science Library.
- Obtain information and advice about the Bodleian's collections and services, including the use of the computer catalogue.
- Order books and other materials from the stacks by telephoning the Library in advance of a visit (printed books on 01865 277184, western manuscripts on 01865 277152).
Opportunities to meet the Bodleian's librarians, and other Friends who share an interest in books.
Free place on a standard tour of the Old Bodleian Library. Special extended tour of the Library for groups by prior arrangement.
A 10 per cent discount, on production of a current membership card, on items purchased from the Library's shop (except on books not published by the Bodleian). Access to mail order.
Pass obtainable from the Admissions Office enabling members to take guests to visit Arts End of Duke Humphrey’s Library
Invitations to occasional events for Friends held in the USA.
Friends are welcome to attend private views of exhibitions at the Bodleian, lunchtime lectures about the Library and other events organised for Friends, should they be in Oxford.
An annual event at the Sheldonian Theatre with talks by Bodley's Librarian and a guest speaker, afternoon tea, and an exhibition of books and manuscripts purchased with the help of the Friends.
Category HONOURABLE FRIEND [$100 a year]
The term "Honourable Friend" was first used by Sir Thomas Bodley. He hoped that his example would "stir up other men's benevolence", for he recognized that without a "great store of honourable Friends" his new foundation would be only, as he put it, "a vain attempt and inconsiderate".
In addition to the benefits of individual membership [see below] an Honourable Friend also receives a copy of the Bodleian Library Record, which is published twice a year. This scholarly journal contains articles on literary, historical and bibliographical topics including those concerned with the Library's collections.
The benefits of individual membership are:
Two issues a year of the Friends' Newsletter with articles about the Library's work, new developments, acquisitions, and the activities of Bodley's American Friends.
On presentation of a current membership card a discount on the price of a reader’s ticket for the Library, subject to the Library's normal admission requirements. This entitles the holder to:
- Use of the Bodleian and its network of specialist libraries including the Law Library, the Bodleian Library of Commonwealth and African Studies at Rhodes House, the Japanese Library, the Indian Institute Library, the Vere Harmsworth Library and the Radcliffe Science Library.
- Obtain information and advice about the Bodleian's collections and services, including the use of the computer catalogue.
- Order books and other materials from the stacks by telephoning the Library in advance of a visit (printed books on 01865 277184, western manuscripts on 01865 277152).
Opportunities to meet the Bodleian's librarians, and other Friends who share an interest in books.
Free place on a standard tour of the Old Bodleian Library. Special extended tour of the Library for groups by prior arrangement.
A 10 per cent discount, on production of a current membership card, on items purchased from the Library's shop (except on books not published by the Bodleian). Access to mail order.
Pass obtainable from the Admissions Office enabling members to take guests to visit Arts End of Duke Humphrey’s Library.
Invitations to occasional events for Friends held in the USA.
Friends are welcome to attend private views of exhibitions at the Bodleian, lunchtime lectures about the Library and other events organised for Friends, should they be in Oxford.
An annual event at the Sheldonian Theatre with talks by Bodley's Librarian and a guest speaker, afternoon tea, and an exhibition of books and manuscripts purchased with the help of the Friends.
Category LIFE FRIEND [minimum payment $2000]
All the benefits of an Honourable Friend for life.
You may become an annual member by giving to the American Trust for Oxford University. Contributions to the Trust are tax-deductible within the limits prescribed by the US Internal Revenue Code. To maintain the deductible status of gifts, US law requires that the Board of Directors retains control and discretion concerning grants to Oxford. Although gifts to the Trust must be unrestricted, the Board of Directors will certainly consider the specific wishes of contributors.
The American Trust for Oxford University can accept tax-deductible gifts from foundations that have been established by business corporations. Gifts made to the American Trust for Oxford University directly from business corporations are generally not deductible as charitable contributions.
To become a member of the Friends, please download, complete and return the Friends members application form with your check payable to “American Trust for Oxford University” to:
Ralph H. Smith II
(Administrator, American Trust for Oxford University)
General Counsel
The University of Alabama System
401 Queen City Avenue
Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35401-1551
When the Bodleian is notified by the Trust of your first year's subscription it will send you a membership card, a copy of the most recent Newsletter and details of how to obtain your reader's card. You will be able to continue paying your subscription in the same way in the future. The Library will write to you each year, enclosing a renewal form.