The New Bodleian Library Conservation Plan - Central ...

3.2 Significance as part of the Bodleian Complex3.2.1 The Bodleian Complex as a single interacting monumental centre-pieceThe relationship between the New Bodleian and the other library buildings of theBodleian Library complex is of primary significance. The New Bodleian waseffectively built as a self-contained library annex to the older Bodleian building andwas intended to provide storage for the library collection. It exists as part of this groupand its original King George VI entrance was designed to create an axial vista acrossBroad Street, through the archways of the Clarendon Building and the Old Bodleianto the Radcliffe Camera. This means that one can move from Radcliffe Square toBroad Street and the New Bodleian without leaving the University’s monumental core(see Figure 5).The 2010 alterations will remove the existing plinth and open up the building façade,denoting the re-orientation of the building’s new entrance. This will provide astronger spatial connection with the historical central Bodleian buildings, with themain entrance facing directly onto the Sheldonian’s public entrance. The glazedcolonnade will provide a view of the Clarendon Building and the Sheldonian fromwithin the new public foyer of the New Bodleian, further connecting the spaces.Whilst there is a physical connection between the Bodleian buildings in the form ofthe connecting tunnel under Broad Street, more significant is the intangibleconnection that exists across the entirety of the Bodleian complex. It is the idea of theBodleian which makes all its components significant, as the Bodleian Library is (andtraditionally has been) considered the historic and academic core of OxfordUniversity. The decision in the 1920’s to build the New Bodleian in the centre ofOxford rather than build alibrary out of town makes theassociation more substantial asthe Bodleian collection remainsphysically close to the originallibrary. The pamphlet written bylibrarian Sir Michael Sadler atthe time emphasised theimportant connection betweenthe different sections of theBodleian Library: ‘Whatever isdone, Bodley’s end of theancient Library together withDuke Humphrey’s Library andSelden End should be inviolatedFigure 6. New Broad Street entrancefollowing current alterations.[sic.]. To destroy theirassociations with the Bodleianwould be vandalism.’ 33 Bodleian Library Collections, d.221, Proofs and finished copy of The Future of the Bodleian by Sir MSadler, 1926.New Bodleian LibraryConservation Plan, April 201215