Article Summary
Created by AI, editorially reviewed.
- Oxford University’s Merton College celebrated its 750th anniversary, hosting one of the oldest libraries in the United Kingdom.
- The library was founded in 1276 after the Archbishop of Canterbury mandated college members to donate books.
Within Merton College at Oxford University lies an ancient wooden chest. During the medieval period, opening this chest required three key holders to gather simultaneously. However, it did not contain gold, silver, or jewelry. Inside the chest were precious manuscripts written on parchment, safeguarding valuable books.
This chest marked the beginning of today’s renowned Merton College Library, which recently commemorated its 750th anniversary. This library, established long before the rise of the edtech era, is among the oldest and most historic libraries in the UK.
Historical Background
In 1276, the Archbishop of Canterbury issued an order making it mandatory for college members to donate books. Prior to the invention of the printing press, books were exceedingly expensive and rare; therefore, the college requested books instead of cash from its members.
This directive laid the foundation for a library that has operated continuously for 750 years. Its long history encompasses firsthand experience of all major events from the medieval Black Death to the modern-day COVID-19 pandemic.
From renowned 14th-century mathematicians to J.R.R. Tolkien, author of ‘The Lord of the Rings,’ many have studied within the library’s tranquil rooms.
In its early days, the library was far from the modern institution it is now. There was no head librarian or shelving system; all books were stored in a single chest. Retrieving any book necessitated gathering the entire community together.
Gradually, the library evolved into a more modern form with various improvements introduced.
For instance, to prevent theft, books were chained to tables, allowing readers to consult them at any time while preserving security.
During the 1370s, a dedicated room was constructed for the library, which remains in use by students today. Books began to be stored on horizontal shelves using a distinct system that facilitated easier access.
Merton College was the first in the UK to place books on horizontal shelves arranged vertically, with spines turned inward and titles written at the edges of pages to avoid interference from the chains.
Literature, Culture, and Global Influence
Since the Victorian era, this library has been recognized as the oldest in the UK. Noted authors like Rudyard Kipling and John Buchan referenced it in their historical works. F. Scott Fitzgerald’s famous novel, The Great Gatsby, hints at its cultural prestige by featuring a character whose mansion resembles Merton College Library.
American writers Ralph Waldo Emerson and Beatrix Potter visited the library in 1884, noting its antiquity and dusty ambiance in their diaries.
Although often claimed to be the oldest library in the world, historians acknowledge that definitions vary. Morocco’s Al Quaraouiyine and Egypt’s Saint Catherine’s Monastery are also considered some of the oldest libraries globally.
Dr. Julia Walworth, the current head librarian of Merton College, considers it Europe’s oldest continuously operating academic library. China’s Dunhuang Cave Library also represents another ancient example.
Looking Ahead
After 750 years, the library is now transitioning into the digital age. The management committee is digitizing rare manuscripts to preserve and enhance access to its invaluable collections.
The tradition of donating books, begun in 1276, continues today, exemplifying a sustained relationship between the institution and its members over centuries.
