Duke Humfrey’s Library is the oldest reading room in Oxford’s Bodleian Library and one of Europe’s earliest purpose‑built libraries. Constructed between 1450 and 1480 above the Divinity School, it was named for Humphrey of Lancaster, the first Duke of Gloucester, whose 281‑volume bequest in 1447 formed the university’s first substantial collection. The narrow aisles, oak bookcases and painted ceiling bearing the arms of the University create a Gothic atmosphere that feels unchanged since the 17th‑century restoration. With over 80 miles of shelving and chained, leather‑bound books, the library exudes the weight of centuries of scholarship. Today it still serves readers under a sacred Bodleian oath, but non‑readers can visit on guided tours to admire its architecture and cinematic fame.