The Bodleian Libraries (University of Oxford): il Programma di ampliamento delle collezioni bibliografiche (2017-2022)

Abstract

The libraries of the University of Oxford, amongst the most renown cultural institutions in the world, hold one of the richest bibliographic and documentary collections in Europe. The collections of the Bodleian Libraries are the result of a very favorable series of historical events and purchase initiatives put into place by librarians, curators and patrons which, together with the generous donations of private collectors and amateurs, have given us the Bodleian Library that we know today. Purpose of this study is to present and evaluate the impact of the 2017-2022 Strategy, the program to expand the bibliographic collections of the Bodleian Library over the next five years. In addition to presenting the text of the programme in Italian translation, this study introduces the reader to the history of the Bodleian Library and also includes the text of an interview with Suzanne de la Rosa (Head of communications). Through an analysis of the text of the programme and the content of the interview, we hope to present a model of a university library of extraordinary importance and complexity in a moment of transition in which the institution, its architectural heritage and collections are undergoing radical changes.