Friends of the Bodleian

About the Friends of the Bodleian

As a member of the Friends, you can enjoy exclusive events in person or online, priority access to digital content and a free subscription to our magazine the Bodleian Library Friends' Newsletter.

Members also receive member-only discounts, exclusive newsletters and the opportunity to see all our exhibitions before the general public.

Founded in 1925, the Friends of the Bodleian support the work of the Libraries by providing funds to acquire, preserve and make available the treasures in our collections.

Over the years, the Friends have helped the Bodleian to secure diverse treasures such as the Sheldon Tapestry Map of Gloucestershire, the manuscript draft of Jane Austen’s 'The Watsons', and 'The Book of Curiosities', an Arabic manuscript on cosmography dating from the 12th or early 13th century.

The Friends of the Bodleian continue a great tradition of the Library's founder, Sir Thomas Bodley. It was his endowment of 1598 that formed the basis of the Library.

By becoming a Friend, you will not only be part of this tradition, but you will carry it forward and make a positive contribution to learning.

Join the Friends of the Bodleian

Annual Lecture

The 2023 Friends of the Bodleian Annual Lecture with Bernardine Evaristo.

Why do some readers think that certain novels are not for them because they are about communities different from their own? How can we read fiction in order to appreciate thematic undercurrents, both beyond and encompassing, for example, notions of race and gender? How can literature bridge perceived gaps and expand our sense of a shared humanity?

Listen to an excerpt from Bernardine Evaristo’s fascinating talk on how reading and literature links to our shared humanity.

Members enjoy free attendance of the Annual Lecture and priority access to videos and other online content.