Between lectures and last minute arrangements for our departure, we were given the option to go back to the Bodleian to see some books that were kept more for their valuable and artistic binding than for the subject matter within. Only a handful of us went to see the beautiful books. Many of the books were decorated with gold leaf pressed into their leather bindings, but there were several methods of creating these intricate designs we were told. Colored pieces of leather could either be inlayed or onlayed into the cover of a book. Inlaying these pieces meant that they were layered under the outside piece which was cut away to reveal the color underneath. An onlayed design was when the piece of leather was cut to the design desired and pressed into the outside piece ... read more

The maps library, inside the Bodleian Library, works fairly independently from the book-related portions. Dealing exclusively in cartography books, maps, and GIS (including some sophisticated electronic references), the maps library holds its own for famous achievements. Unlike in the United States where USGS maps are considered public domain, the UK holds complicated copyrights on its maps, making it more difficult to reproduce (and therefore get your hands on) various maps of the area. On one of the computer terminals we were shown how a program (similar to google maps) can give very detailed close-ups of locations in the UK. In contrast with Google maps, this map which is exclusively available through the Bodleian, can show borders of private as well as public property, trees, and streets. Surprisingly, even though the maps systems have come along way ... read more

To ensure that our weekend was well spent, Jeanne, Heather and I went to London one last time. On the agenda? The Sherlock Holmes Museum, a tour of the London Towers, and a tour of Shakespeare's Globe. Sherlock Holmes's museum was great in so many ways. We delighted in the many, shiny trinkets in the gift shop first to make sure we had enough gifts for our families back home. While we were waiting to go into the museum, a man dressed like an old fashioned "bobby" posed with us outside in Watson/Holmes hats. Most of the things in the museum were just little trivia things. An old fashioned chemistry set, a fireplace, a desk... After seeing three stories of Holmes stuff, I was fully sated. For those who know about my huge crush on Sherlock, ... read more

We were set free for the weekend to do what we wished, and, after initally planning a trip to London, a few of us set off on a road less travelled. We were headed to the famous little town of Hay on Wye, where there are many unique vintage bookstores. After two hours on the train we stopped in Hereford, planning to take up a one hour bus ride in the morning. I absolutely love taking trains. In southern California, I take the train often to Orange County, Santa Barbara, or even Anaheim. However, in an effort to make my travelling case a little lighter, I left my ipod nano and the book I planned to read. Considering that the ipod is only a few ounces, I was moderately teased for my line of reasoning. So, ... read more

The day started early... a little too early for those of us that were still adjusting to the jet lag. Breakfast was served promptly at 6:45 so that we could all be on the bus to London at 7:10 in the morning. We had already been warned that the beautiful weather was coming to an abrupt end with the advent of a light rainstorm. The British Library felt more like a museum than an actual library. We learned that only very recently had they opened their doors to more casual researchers/ the general public. The first thing that strikes you as odd, is that there are very few actual books visible in this library. Besides the "Treasure Room" where priceless, ancient texts are kept under glass and under low lighting, the only other obvious evidence that ... read more