3 Libraries in the UK that ALL library school students (and people in general) should visit.
Sarah Burns
1. British Library in London
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- British Library. Photo by Sarah Burns
Not only is the British Library a gorgeous new building nestled between Euston Station and Kings Cross St. Pancreas Station, it is the perfect mid way stop on your way to see Platform 9 ¾! It is located in the fantastic area of University College London (UCL); an area of London with plenty of pubs, restaurants, and beautiful buildings.
The library has free admission to the building. Inside you can see their special collections or "treasures" room that contains a copy of the Magna Carta, a Gutenburg Bible, the only Beowulf manuscript, one of Leonardo De Vinci's notebooks, musical compositions of Bach and Mozart, manuscripts by Jane Austin and Sylvia Plath, and many many more.
2. Bodleian Library in Oxford
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- Bodleian Library. Photo by Sarah Burns
It's worth going to Oxford even if you don't see the library, but the Bodleian Library (or 'the bod' as it has been informally known by Oxford scholars for centuries) is one of the oldest libraries in all of Europe. It is the University of Oxford's library and is the home of Shakespeare's first published works, a Gutenburg Bible, and four copies of the Magna Carta. It also boasts two scenes in the first two Harry Potter films. The first is the Duke Humphrey’s Reading Room, where the medieval manuscripts of the library are kept; it is the basis for the Hogwarts Library. The second is the Divinity School, the oldest surviving building built for the purpose of the University of Oxford and now attached to the library courtyard, is the basis for the Hogwarts infirmary.
3. British Museum Library in London
- British Museum Library. Photo by Sarah Burns
The British Museum Library is one of the most beautiful libraries in the world. But, truth be told, even if you miss the library it is worthwhile to peak your head in the door of the museum. The museum building has a fantastically designed entryway and too many treasures to list here. One treasure that needs mentioning is the meticulously carved stones from atop of the Parthenon; the amazing structure standing on the Acropolis in Athens. The museum is also home to the Rosetta Stone, Egyptian Mummies, and priceless artifacts from all over the world. The library of the musem is located in the center of the domed entryway of the museum and contains over 14 million books, 920,000 journal and newspaper titles, 58 million patents, 3 million sound recordings, and so much more.