Reginald Carr (librarian)
Encyclopedia
Reginald Philip Carr is an English librarian, who was Bodley's Librarian
(head of the Bodleian Library
at the University of Oxford
) from 1997 until his retirement in 2006. He is a member of the Christadelphian church.
before studying French and German at the University of Leeds
(obtaining a Bachelor of Arts
degree in 1968) and the University of Manchester
(obtaining a Master of Arts
degree in 1971). He worked as an assistant librarian in the library of Manchester University
between 1970 and 1976, and was also Librarian-in-Charge of the library of the School of Education at Manchester from 1972 to 1976. After two years as Sub-Librarian at the University of Surrey
, he was Deputy Librarian at the University of Aston (1978 to 1980) and of the University of Cambridge
(1980 to 1986). Between 1986 and 1996, Carr was Librarian of the University of Leeds
, before becoming the 23rd holder of the position of Bodley's Librarian
in 1997. In 2000 he established Oxford University Library Services, a new organisation that integrated Oxford's centrally-funded libraries, and was its first Director. Other work during his time as Bodley's Librarian included setting up the Oxford Digital Library, extending the scope of legal deposit
to cover electronic publications, and significant work on buildings and fundraising. During his time as Bodley's Librarian, he was also a Fellow of Balliol College, Oxford
. He retired in 2006, and was given the title of Bodley's Librarian Emeritus.
His publications include Anarchism in France: the case of Octave Mirbeau (1977) (based on his MA thesis), An Introduction to University Library Administration (1987, joint publication) and The Academic Research Library in a Decade of Change (2007), as well as numerous articles in both professional and academic journals. He has written a study guide to the Biblical book of Micah
, tracts about issues of Christian faith (The Miracle of the Bible: The word of God in print and The Christian and Politics) and co-authored a comprehensive analysis of the use of the word "spirit" in the New Testament.
Bodley's Librarian
The head of the Bodleian Library, the main library at the University of Oxford, is known as Bodley's Librarian: Sir Thomas Bodley, as founder, gave his name to both the institution and the position. Although there had been a university library at Oxford since about 1320, it had declined by the end...
(head of the Bodleian Library
Bodleian Library
The Bodleian Library , the main research library of the University of Oxford, is one of the oldest libraries in Europe, and in Britain is second in size only to the British Library...
at the University of Oxford
University of Oxford
The University of Oxford is a university located in Oxford, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest surviving university in the world and the oldest in the English-speaking world. Although its exact date of foundation is unclear, there is evidence of teaching as far back as 1096...
) from 1997 until his retirement in 2006. He is a member of the Christadelphian church.
Life and writings
Carr was born in Manchester and educated at Manchester Grammar SchoolManchester Grammar School
The Manchester Grammar School is the largest independent day school for boys in the UK . It is based in Manchester, England...
before studying French and German at the University of Leeds
University of Leeds
The University of Leeds is a British Redbrick university located in the city of Leeds, West Yorkshire, England...
(obtaining a Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
degree in 1968) and the University of Manchester
University of Manchester
The University of Manchester is a public research university located in Manchester, United Kingdom. It is a "red brick" university and a member of the Russell Group of research-intensive British universities and the N8 Group...
(obtaining a Master of Arts
Master of Arts (postgraduate)
A Master of Arts from the Latin Magister Artium, is a type of Master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The M.A. is usually contrasted with the M.S. or M.Sc. degrees...
degree in 1971). He worked as an assistant librarian in the library of Manchester University
John Rylands University Library
The John Rylands University Library is the University of Manchester's library and information service. It was formed in July 1972 from the merger of the library of the Victoria University of Manchester with the John Rylands Library...
between 1970 and 1976, and was also Librarian-in-Charge of the library of the School of Education at Manchester from 1972 to 1976. After two years as Sub-Librarian at the University of Surrey
University of Surrey
The University of Surrey is a university located within the county town of Guildford, Surrey in the South East of England. It received its charter on 9 September 1966, and was previously situated near Battersea Park in south-west London. The institution was known as Battersea College of Technology...
, he was Deputy Librarian at the University of Aston (1978 to 1980) and of the University of Cambridge
University of Cambridge
The University of Cambridge is a public research university located in Cambridge, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest university in both the United Kingdom and the English-speaking world , and the seventh-oldest globally...
(1980 to 1986). Between 1986 and 1996, Carr was Librarian of the University of Leeds
University of Leeds
The University of Leeds is a British Redbrick university located in the city of Leeds, West Yorkshire, England...
, before becoming the 23rd holder of the position of Bodley's Librarian
Bodley's Librarian
The head of the Bodleian Library, the main library at the University of Oxford, is known as Bodley's Librarian: Sir Thomas Bodley, as founder, gave his name to both the institution and the position. Although there had been a university library at Oxford since about 1320, it had declined by the end...
in 1997. In 2000 he established Oxford University Library Services, a new organisation that integrated Oxford's centrally-funded libraries, and was its first Director. Other work during his time as Bodley's Librarian included setting up the Oxford Digital Library, extending the scope of legal deposit
Legal deposit
Legal deposit is a legal requirement that a person or group submit copies of their publications to a repository, usually a library. The requirement is mostly limited to books and periodicals. The number of copies varies and can range from one to 19 . Typically, the national library is one of the...
to cover electronic publications, and significant work on buildings and fundraising. During his time as Bodley's Librarian, he was also a Fellow of Balliol College, Oxford
Balliol College, Oxford
Balliol College , founded in 1263, is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England but founded by a family with strong Scottish connections....
. He retired in 2006, and was given the title of Bodley's Librarian Emeritus.
His publications include Anarchism in France: the case of Octave Mirbeau (1977) (based on his MA thesis), An Introduction to University Library Administration (1987, joint publication) and The Academic Research Library in a Decade of Change (2007), as well as numerous articles in both professional and academic journals. He has written a study guide to the Biblical book of Micah
Book of Micah
The Book of Micah is one of fifteen prophetic books in the Hebrew bible/Old Testament, and the sixth of the twelve minor prophets. It records the sayings of Mikayahu, meaning "Who is like Yahweh?", an 8th century prophet from the village of Moresheth in Judah...
, tracts about issues of Christian faith (The Miracle of the Bible: The word of God in print and The Christian and Politics) and co-authored a comprehensive analysis of the use of the word "spirit" in the New Testament.