Christ Church Library, Grade I listed library building in Oxford, England
Christ Church Library is a Georgian building forming the south side of Peckwater Quadrangle, with two floors housing modern lending collections and early printed books. The multi-level arrangement allows different types of materials to be organized and accessed by visitors.
The current building was constructed starting in 1717 under mason William Townsend and completed in 1772, replacing the original structure from 1562. This new construction occurred during a period when the university's academic collections were expanding.
The library holds collections assembled by notable scholars like Robert Burton and Henry Aldrich, reflecting the intellectual history of the university. Visitors can see these personal holdings, which show how scholars gathered knowledge across the centuries.
The book collection occupies the first floor to protect it from moisture damage, while the ground level provides additional exhibition and reading areas. Visitors should know that the layout is designed with conservation in mind.
The collection holds one of Oxford's largest collections of early printed books outside the Bodleian Library, with roughly 72,000 volumes. For book lovers and historians, this offers valuable insight into rare printed works spanning multiple centuries.
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