South African Friends of the Bodleian

SOUTH AFRICAN FRIENDS OF THE BODLEIAN

The Bodleian Library

The Bodleian Library is the main library of the University of Oxford, a copyright deposit library, and a research library of national and international importance. When refounded by Sir Thomas Bodley between 1598 and 1602, it was the first great public library in England and is now one of the largest libraries in the world, with rich collections of manuscripts and printed books in all areas of scholarship. In 1610 Sir Thomas Bodley made an agreement with the Stationers' Company whereby a copy of every book published by members of the Company was to be sent to the Bodleian, and as a copyright deposit library the Bodleian now claims most British publications. In addition, the Library supports research by spending over £1m p.a. on books published abroad. It is used by scholars from all over the world, and each year the majority of new readers come from outside the University of Oxford. Alongside the need to preserve the accumulations of past centuries is that to develop and expand them by adding today's output.

The Friends of the Bodleian

"Without very great store of honourable friends to further the designe....it could but have proved a vaine attempt, and inconsiderate"

Sir Thomas Bodley

The object of the Friends of the Bodleian for almost seventy years has been the enrichment of the Library's collections by encouraging donations and by providing an income for the purchase of manuscripts and printed books, under the control of its Council of Management and separate from the Library's own funds. The Friends wish to continue to encourage, assist and promote the Library's work and activities in this and other areas.

The Friends of the Bodleian is the largest of the Library's support groups. Separate organizations exist for the United States of America, Canada, Germany and Japan.

The worldwide band of Friends of Bodley has been extended by the formation of a branch in South Africa and YOU ARE INVITED TO JOIN US. This invitation is addressed not only to those who have already matriculated into Oxford University, or to those whose research has brought them on a visit to Oxford and who have already used the facilities that the Bodleian offers. It is also addressed to all who care about books and the future of the written word; it is to those whose work may bring them to Oxford in the future; it is in fact to all those whom Sir Thomas Bodley himself described as "The republic of the learned".

The aims of establishing a South African group of supporters of the Bodleian are the same as those of the Friends of the Bodleian, but most particularly this group subscribes to the provision of books, periodicals and other library materials to ensure that the collections of the historic Bodleian Library continue adequately to cover and properly to reflect the history, government, culture, aspirations and arts of the peoples of Southern Africa. Much of this material is not available in the UK. The support of SAFoB (South African Friends of the Bodleian) enables scholars from all over the world to extend their knowledge of Southern Africa.

Benefits of Membership

Meetings and social events arranged in various parts of the RSA giving members the opportunity to meet and exchange ideas with other scholars and to keep in touch with fellow Oxford graduates. Librarians from the Bodleian who visit South Africa try to meet SAFoB members during their stay.

A reader's ticket to use the Library, without charge to Friends (subject to the Library's normal admission requirements). This will give members access, among other things, to the extensive holdings of Southern African material already in the Library.

Two issues each year of the Friends' Newsletter, carrying news of the Society's activities and purchases and of all aspects of the Library's work.

Life Friends and Friends subscribing R150 or more per annum may, if they wish, receive two issues each year of The Bodleian Library Record, a scholarly journal containing articles on literary, historical and bibliographical topics, especially those concerned with the Library's collections.

Discount, obtainable in person or by post, on most purchases from the Library shop.

Rates of Subscription

Ordinary membership R100 per annum

Ordinary membership to include two issues p.a. of The Bodleian Library Record R150 per annum

Life membership R2,000

Contact Details

For further details or a membership form please contact:

Membership Secretary
South African Friends of the Bodleian
Bodleian Library
Oxford OX1 3BG
UK

E-mail:	safob@bodley.ox.ac.uk
Phone:	+44 1865 277234
Fax:	+44 1865 277187