The library hit the headlines following the release of 10 boxes of documents relating to the abdication of Edward VIII. These important documents had been held at the library since 1974.

Founded by an English scholar, Sir Thomas Boldley, in 1602, the copyright deposit library now incorporates a number of dependent departments including a law library, a book repository library and an Indian institute library. Altogether the libraries house over six million books between them - occupying an estimated 145.5km (90.9 miles) of shelving.

The installation was part of an overall programme to decentralise the main boiler plant room and was carried out by Hamworthys agent, Driver Engineering Limited. To satisfy the 1200kW load requirement at the new site, Gifford and Partners specified three Wessex County modular boilers. The boilers were situated in a satellite boiler room created to service the Bodleian Library.

Lindford Bridgemen was appointed overall contractor with Fred G Alden (Heating) Ltd appointed as sub contractor for the project. Graham Collier, Project Engineer, from Alden, said: "The Wessex County boilers supplied by Hamworthy Heating for Bodleian Library were chosen because they provide a number of benefits. These include high efficiencies and also the availability of a flexible installation modular format."

The Wessex County is a rapid response boiler with high efficiencies coupled with low emissions. Each burner module has a separate combustion chamber enabling the modules to be fired in any order, allowing rotation of the lead boiler to incur even wear and tear. High efficiency boilers can achieve efficiencies up to 85% gross (94% nett). Burning less gas also leads to a reduction in CO2 emissions, which is kinder to the environment.