The Philobiblon
by Richard de Bury
Chapter XIX
Of the manner of lending all our books to
students
It has ever been difficult so to restrain men by the laws
of rectitude, that the astuteness of successors might not
strive to transgress the bounds of their predecessors, and
to infringe established rules in insolence of licence.
Accordingly, with the advice of prudent men, we have
prescribed the manner in which we desire that the
communication and use of our books should be permitted for
the benefit of students.
Imprimis, we give and grant all and singular the books,
of which we have made a special catalogue, in consideration
of affection, to the community of scholars living in ____
Hall at Oxford, as a perpetual gift, for our soul and the
souls of our parents, and also for the soul of the most
illustrious King Edward the Third from the Conquest, and of
the most pious Queen Philippa, his consort: to the intent
that the same books may be lent from time to time to all and
singular the scholars and masters of the said place, as well
regular as secular, for the advancement and use of study, in
the manner immediately following, that is to say:
Five of the scholars sojourning in the Hall aforesaid
shall be appointed by the Master thereof, who shall have the
charge of all the books, of which five persons three and not
fewer may lend any book or books for inspection and study;
but for copying or transcribing we direct that no book shall
be allowed outside the walls of the house. Therefore, when
any scholar secular or religious, whom for this purpose we
regard with equal favour, shall seek to borrow any book, let
the keepers diligently consider if they have a duplicate of
the said book, and if so, let them lend him the book, taking
such pledge as in their judgment exceeds the value of the
book delivered, and let a record be made forthwith of the
pledge and of the book lent, containing the names of the
persons delivering the book and of the person who receives
it, together with the day and year when the loan is
made.
But if the keepers find that the book asked for is not in
duplicate, they shall not lend such book to any one
whomsoever, unless he shall belong to the community of
scholars of the said Hall, unless perhaps for inspection
within the walls of the aforesaid house or Hall, but not to
be carried beyond it.
But to any of the scholars of the said Hall, any book may
be lent by three of the aforesaid keepers, after first
recording, however, his name, with the day on which he
receives the book. Nevertheless, the borrower may not lend
the book entrusted to him to another, except with the
permission of three of the aforesaid keepers, and then the
name of the first borrower being erased, the name of the
second with the time of delivery is to be recorded.
Each keeper shall take an oath to observe all these
regulations when they enter upon the charge of the books.
And the recipients of any book or books shall thereupon
swear that they will not use the book or books for any other
purpose but that of inspection or study, and that they will
not take or permit to be taken it or them beyond the town
and suburbs of Oxford.
Moreover, every year the aforesaid keepers shall render
an account to the Master of the House and two of his
scholars whom he shall associate with himself, or if he
shall not be at leisure, he shall appoint three inspectors,
other than the keepers, who shall peruse the catalogue of
books, and see that they have them all, either in the
volumes themselves or at least as represented by deposits.
And the more fitting season for rendering this account we
believe to be from the First of July until the festival of
the Translation of the Glorious Martyr S. Thomas next
following.
We add this further provision, that anyone to whom a book
has been lent, shall once a year exhibit it to the keepers,
and shall, if he wishes it, see his pledge. Moreover, if it
chances that a book is lost by death, theft, fraud, or
carelessness, he who has lost it or his representative or
executor shall pay the value of the book and receive back
his deposit. But if in any wise any profit shall accrue to
the keepers, it shall not be applied to any purpose but the
repair and maintenance of the books.
- The Philobiblon
by Richard de Bury
Chapter XVIII
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