iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

👋 We look forward to welcoming you into the libraries soon. Learn more about getting started at the libraries at www.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/ask/getting-started 📸 All images John Cairns except image 3 (c) David Levene

Image of three students walking away from the Radcliffe Camera. Text reads: 'We look forward to welcoming you into the libraries soon!'

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We have electronic subscriptions so you can access material wherever and whenever you need. We offer free workshops to help you build your confidence in finding and evaluating research materials. And our staff are happy to help with any library question from finding the loos to finding a resource!

Image of a man working inside a library. Text reads: 'We have lots of digital resources so you can access material wherever and whenever you need'

Image taken from above of a woman working at a desk in a library. Text reads: 'We offer free workshops to help you build your confidence in finding and evaluating research materials'.

Image is of a woman at a library desk handing a book to another woman. Text reads: 'And our staff are happy to help with any library question from finding the loos to finding a resource.'

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We are also more than just books! (Although we have a lot of those.)

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Whether you like modern or old study spaces, big or small study spaces, busy or quieter study spaces, we have them all across our libraries. You can find them on our Libraries web page: (www.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/libraries).

Image of woman working inside a library. The text reads: Big or small study spaces

Image of a man talking inside a library. Text reads: 'Busy or quieter study spaces... '

Text reads 'we have lots of options across our different libraries'. Image is of a woman working inside a library.

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We are the Bodleian Libraries - 22 libraries across Oxford. You can access any of them with your Bod card.

Text reads: We are the Bodleian Libraries - 22 libraries across Oxford, and you can access any of them with your Bod card. Image is of bookshelves in Duke Humfrey's Library

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Bodleian Libraries @bodleian.ox.ac.uk · 06/10/2026

Starting at the University of Oxford? 📚 Let us introduce ourselves…

Text overlays in internal image pf an archway in the Radcliffe Camera. The text reads: 'Starting at Oxford? Let us introduce ourselves.'

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Have you heard of a medieval black knight from the Arthurian world? Meet Moriaen, the protagonist from a Dutch chivalric romance by the same name, researched by Georgie Anderson, a PhD candidate from the University of Kent.

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Bodleian Libraries @bodleian.ox.ac.uk · 02/10/2026

Book your place for special events, talks, tours and film screenings at visit.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/events-exhib... #WhatsOn #Oxford #GeorgetteHeyer #Herculaneum #Beetlejuice #Dracula #MonstersInc

"Talks" with two events listed. The first event, on Tuesday, 6th October, is about "The Manuscripts of Esther Inglis in Oxford Libraries," focusing on Scottish workmanship at the Jacobean and Tudor Courts, from 13:00 to 13:50, free and in person. The second event, on Thursday, 15th October, titled "Silence Please," covers poetry reading and literary silences from 13:00 to 14:00, free, in person and online. The background features a decorative manuscript.

"Talks" with details of three scheduled events:

1. "Fri 16 Oct: Birds in a Cage" - A story of British prisoners of war in the 1940s, 13:00-14:00, £5, available in person and online.
2. "Thu 22 Oct: The Bodleian Herculaneum Papyrus and other recent discoveries" - 13:00-14:00, free, online.
3. "Fri 23 Oct: Soundscaping the Wonder of Birds" - 12:00-13:00, £5, available in person and online.

The background shows part of a book cover with blurred text.

Film screening poster titled "Halloween Film Screenings" set against a backdrop of an ornate, historic interior. The screenings are on 30 & 31 October, 1 November 2026, featuring "Monsters Inc. (2001)" at 2:30pm, "Beetlejuice (1988)" at 5:30pm, and "Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1992)" at 8:30pm. Ticket prices: £25 online, £30 on the door.

Tour schedule poster inside a cathedral. Dates and details listed: Sun 11 & Sun 25 Oct - Literary Oxford Walking Tours; Sat 17 & Sun 18 Oct - Children's Literature Tour; Thu 29 Oct - Origins of the University of Oxford; Saturdays and Sundays - Radcliffe Camera and City of Oxford Walking Tour.

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Bodleian Libraries @bodleian.ox.ac.uk · 02/10/2026

From the manuscripts of Esther Inglis, to Monsters Inc! Explore fun and fascinating things to do, online and in person, at the Bodleian this October. 🍂

Three people stand inside the Bodleian Library, surrounded by ornate architecture. Text at the top says "October at the Bodleian," and more details about events are at the bottom.

Special Events listing two events:

1. Sun 4 Oct: "Silver Sunday: 100 years of These Old Shades by Georgette Heyer," featuring drop-in performances, talks, and activities from 11.00 to 15.40. Free; booking required for talks.

2. Wed 7 Oct: "Aftermath: Photographic Narratives from Northern Iraq and the Kashmir Valley," from 12.00 to 13.00. Free, in person.

Special Events listing of three events:

1. Sun 18 Oct: "Wonder of Birds Day," 11:00–15:00, free, in person.
2. Thu 22 Oct: "Textpocalypse Now: The Political Economy of Writing in the Age of AI," 17:00–18:00, free, in person.
3. Thu 29 Oct: "2026 Richard Benson Lecture in the Reproduced Image," focusing on photography and educational souvenirs, 17:00–18:25, free, in person.

Background features a vintage illustration.

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Bodleian Libraries @bodleian.ox.ac.uk · 01/10/2026

October is the time to make wine - and work on your scorpion drawings. 📖 A man treads grapes. Scorpio. Calendar from a Psalter. 13th century digital.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/objects/5…

Medieval manuscript page showing two illustrations. A man treading grapes in brass-bound tub; drinking from bowl; an assistant tips grapes into tub. Vine on right. A scorpion representing Scorpio is below. The page has handwritten Latin text in red and black ink.

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Bodleian Libraries @bodleian.ox.ac.uk · 25/09/2026

Last chance for submissions to #OxFOS 2027! Propose a talk, panel or workshop for this free, University-wide conference (8–11 March 2027) exploring how research can be more open, transparent and accessible. Submit by 14 October 2026. Details at www.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/open-research…

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Bodleian Libraries @bodleian.ox.ac.uk · 25/09/2026

🪶 Join us in person or online, on Friday 16 October for a talk about the true story of a group of British prisoners of war in 1940s Germany who overcome hardship through their shared love of birds. £5, booking required at visit.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/event/2026/…

A photo of Derek Niemann alongside the Birds in a Cage front cover

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More info and T&Cs about the submission call-out, and the exhibition itself: visit.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/event/pets-a...

Tiny & Jamie
Burnham-on-Sea, March 2026
A man with a beard sits cross-legged on a rocking chair, smiling at a cat standing on their lap. The room has a tall potted plant and large windows overlooking a garden.

Judi & Emma
Crown & Thistle, Abingdon, 9 May 2021
A woman with a colorful scarf and patterned hoodie looks up at a small, fluffy dog perched on their shoulder against a textured stone wall background.

Ainosuke & Sayana's grandfather
Baishinji Beach, Matsuyama, Ehime, Japan, 29 March 2026
A man with grey hair is standing on a beach holding a small black and white dog. The background features a rocky shoreline and a sunset sky.

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Want to submit your own photo of your pet & you to our modern record? Send your favourite image to socialmedia@bodleian.ox.ac.uk When you submit please let us know: ⁃ Your name/handle ⁃ Your pet's name ⁃ A rough geographic place and date

Dash & Claire
A woman in a denim outfit stands in a field, gently interacting with a brown horse. Another horse is partially visible in the foreground. The background features green foliage and a tree.

Luna & Cherry
Reading, Berkshire, August 2023
A woman sitting on a couch is giving a high-five to a black cat.

Lady & Neely
London, 2025
A woman wearing a headscarf and white sunglasses, posing with a fluffy dog in orange sunglasses. The background has decorative items and artwork.

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It's inspired by postcards collected by the artist Tom Phillips (1937-2022), part of an archive donated to the Bodleian Libraries. Thank you to everyone who has submitted so far.

Henry & Jayne's husband
Norwich
A man holding a fluffy cat looks out a window, with their reflection visible in the glass. The scene is in black and white, set against an orange background.

Chelsea & Paulina
Radcliffe Camera, Oxford, 28 July 2026
A woman in graduation attire, sitting in a wheelchair, holds a small dog. They are in front of a historic stone building - the Radcliffe Camera

Nanou & Janetta
France, February 2026
A woman sits in a home office, holding a small dog, in front of an open laptop displaying a document. The desk is cluttered with papers, a mug, and various office items. A window in the background provides natural light.

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We asked for photographs of your pets with their people. Here are more of the fantastic submissions! We're creating a modern record of 'Pets & their People' as part of our exhibition (which closes this Sunday - don't forget to drop in) at Weston Library.

Stevie Nicks & Finn, Inverkeithing

A young man gently holds a brown chicken outdoors, in front of a leafy background. he wears a casual jacket and a sweater.

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Bodleian Libraries @bodleian.ox.ac.uk · 18/09/2026

As autumn set in, the comfortably-off 1920’s family could happily bid farewell to their summer pursuits – angling, punting, golf, camping – knowing that their pianola awaits in their living room. A 4-page leaflet from the John Johnson Collection. 👉https://blogs.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/jjcoll/2022/11/

Front cover of a 4 page leaflet advertising the pianola, 1928
John Johnson Collection: Musical Instruments 2 (17)

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Shh... 🤫 On Thurs 15 October, join us in person or online, as Prof Kate McLoughlin (Professor of English Literature, University of Oxford) reads from her new poetry anthology Silence Please: A Poem for Every Kind of Quiet. visit.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/event/2026/…

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Bodleian Libraries @bodleian.ox.ac.uk · 14/09/2026

Happy 1 September? Perhaps... if we were following the Julian calendar, abandoned in Great Britain on this day (14 September!) 1752, in favour of the Gregorian calendar. Nicholas Kontovas explains more in this short video.

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Bodleian Libraries @bodleian.ox.ac.uk · 11/09/2026

'Little lower than the angels: the Psalms between heaven and earth' This small, free display will open from Saturday 12 September in Blackwell Hall, Weston Library. More info visit.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/event/littl…

An illuminated letter B from the display at Weston Library.

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Bodleian Libraries @bodleian.ox.ac.uk · 11/09/2026

Martin Parr: Oxford This small, free display of images by one of the most influential photographers of the past 50 years, will open from Saturday 12 September in Weston Library. visit.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/display/mar… 📷 © Martin Parr / Magnum Photos

Officiators at University of Oxford events, The Bedels, Oxford, England, 2015

© Martin Parr / Magnum Photos

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Bodleian Libraries @bodleian.ox.ac.uk · 09/09/2026

From 11-13 September, the Bodleian will open up spaces and show off collections not usually accessible to the public, for #OxfordOpenDoors 2026! Enjoy tours, storytelling, a Victorian printing press, and MUCH more. visit.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/event/oxfor… We can't wait to see you!

An open gateway at the Bodleian Library with a silhouette walking through it

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Bodleian Libraries @bodleian.ox.ac.uk · 08/09/2026

What do ships show us in the Bayeux Tapestry? Dr Emily Winkler (Lecturer in Medieval History, Hertford College & St Edmund Hall) steers us through some of the Tapestry's most famous boat imagery, from the Earl Harold of Wessex's fleet, to William of Normandy's flagship Mora - a gift from his wife.

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Bodleian Libraries @bodleian.ox.ac.uk · 02/09/2026

The Sheldon Tapestry Map of Oxfordshire on the wall of the Weston Library is coming down from public display this weekend. Our Map Room team will hold a 'Tapestry Day' tomorrow, Thurs 3 Sep. Find them beside the tapestry all day, displaying related items from the Bodleian's map collections!

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Bodleian Libraries @bodleian.ox.ac.uk · 28/08/2026

Many of us are having an #AnalogueSummer, with the aim of slowing down and being more present. As we enter the last few weeks of the season, why not dip your toes into the trend, too? Find crafts, bespoke stationery and your next favourite read at bodleianshop.co.uk

An embroidery hoop with a detailed design featuring the Radcliffe Camera. The building sits atop an open book, with small plants and a crescent moon against a starry night sky. The embroidery is vibrant and intricate.

A woman out of picture writes on a notepad with a pencil. Nearby is an open wooden pencil box marked "Bodleian Libraries, University of Oxford," containing colored pencils. Other pencils are scattered on a wooden surface.

A woman out of picture holds a book titled "Ten-Minute Book Club" near a bookshelf filled with various books.

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About the exhibition: visit.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/event/pets-a...

A large group of people is gathered in front of a building for a wedding. The couple at the center holds a bouquet, surrounded by guests in early 20th-century attire, including hats. A dog sits in the foreground. The scene captures a celebratory moment from the era.

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T&Cs @ visit.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/event/pets-a... Privacy Notice @ www.glam.ox.ac.uk/privacy-noti...

A woman lying on the grass next to a sitting dog in a garden setting, surrounded by bushes and flowers.

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Send them to socialmedia@bodleian.ox.ac.uk When you submit please let us know: ⁃ Your name/handle ⁃ Your pet’s name ⁃ A rough geographic place and date

A man wearing a suit and straw hat stands in front of a wooden door, looking down at a sitting dog with curly fur.

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As part of our ‘Pets & their People’ exhibition (open until 27 Sep at the Weston Library), we’d like your help to create a modern record of people and their pets! We’d love for you to submit photos of you with your pet – either recreations of these or something new.

A vintage photograph of a man walking a large Saint Bernard dog with a medical cross patch on its side. The scene is outdoors with several people in period attire observing in the background.

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Dating from the c1890s - 1960s, they capture different relationships between people and the animals around them.

An man in early 20th-century attire, wearing a bowler hat and suit, sits on a rustic wooden bench. A small dog sits beside him, resting its paws on the individual's knee. The background is a studio setting with a softly patterned backdrop.

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Pawsitively perfect photos! #InternationalDogDay These wonderful images are actually postcards, collected by the artist Tom Phillips (1937-2022) and part of the archive donated to the Bodleian Libraries.

A woman is sitting and holding the paw of a dog that is sitting upright on its hind legs next to her. The image is in black and white and has a vintage appearance.

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The dog days are NOT over, as we celebrate #InternationalDogDay with some of the stars of our Pets & Their People exhibition - Oxford college pups! These charismatic characters are just some of the canines that offer wellbeing and a sense of homeliness to students coming to study at Oxford.

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6. The Bodleian takes conservation seriously. The tapestries in the Bodleian's collection have even been to Belgium for a bath! www.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/about/librar...

Two individuals are cleaning a large tapestry using hoses with water in an industrial setting. They are bent over the carpet, focusing on scrubbing with the spray from the hoses.

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5. Find St Paul's Cathedral and you'll see the old spire which burnt down in the 1666 Great Fire of London.

Detail from the Sheldon Tapestry Map of Oxfordshire. A detailed tapestry illustration depicting a medieval cityscape of London. Prominent buildings and towers are shown, with a large river in the foreground. The word "Islington" is prominently displayed in the artwork, indicating the location. The image includes intricate architectural and natural elements.

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4. On the Oxfordshire map, you can find a white horse - representing the abstract Bronze Age chalk white horse found at Uffington! Perhaps a miscommunication to the cartographer?

A detail from the Sheldon Tapestry Map. A medieval map illustration depicting a white horse alongside labeled areas: Kingston Lile, Compton, and Ashbury. The horse is stylized against green and yellow terrain, with clusters of buildings representing towns.

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3. Each map measured roughly 15 feet high and 20 feet wide. Each tapestry would have probably taken at least a year to weave with four weavers working on each one.

Part of the Sheldon Tapestry Map of Oxfordshire. A detailed tapestry depicting a vibrant map with forests, mountains, and villages in the upper section. The lower section shows intricate scenes of daily life with figures, animals, and ornate architecture. The design is richly colored, showcasing historical or cultural themes.

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2. There was nothing quite like the maps in England at the time. (Certainly no Sat Navs, anyway.) They must've been a revelation to the people who saw them!

The Sheldon Tapestry Map of Oxfordshire. Fragmented, colorful tapestry depicting a detailed rural landscape with trees, rivers, and buildings. Scenes include architectural elements and a section resembling a grand structure. The tapestry is mounted on a plain background.

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1. The Sheldon Tapestry Maps were commissioned by landowner Ralph Sheldon in around 1590. He aimed to show his house and places where he had land holdings, as well as properties of friends and relatives. The maps could be described as 'late Tudor bling'!

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Bodleian Libraries @bodleian.ox.ac.uk · 21/08/2026

Dating from the time of Queen Elizabeth I, the four Sheldon Tapestry Maps show central counties in England woven in wool and silk. Here are six fun facts about the maps - and the Oxfordshire map in particular, which is on public display at Weston Library until 4 September. See it while you can!

This image of a Sheldon Tapestry Map shows a detailed map of the Oxfordshire region featuring various towns and villages, such as Wolvercote, Cassenton, and Yarnton. The map includes rivers, forests, and roads, with illustrated trees and buildings representing different locations.

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Meet the muse of epic poetry, Calliope, and her sisters Clio and Polyhymnia! Here's John Rolfe, the historian behind our statue restoration project, to tell us more. Drop by Weston Library to see them for yourself! visit.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/event/displ…

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Bodleian Libraries @bodleian.ox.ac.uk · 20/08/2026

In Oxford on Thursday 27 August? Join us for an exclusive 'Origins of the University of Oxford Tour'! 📖 Explore Duke Humfrey's Library ⛪ Visit the University Church of St Mary the Virgin 🎶 Enjoy drinks and a choral performance ℹ️ visit.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/tours/origi…

Duke Humfrey's Library: Interior view of a historic library with high wooden shelves filled with books. The ornate ceiling features intricate designs, and large windows at the far end allow natural light to illuminate the space. The atmosphere is grand and scholarly, showcasing traditional architecture.

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One of The Bodleian’s most recent acquisitions is the ‘Miller - Beaton scrapbook’ featuring works by Lee Miller and Cecil Beaton. From Miller in Hitler's bathtub, to examining a Russian officer's medal, image details are in the Alt text. © Lee Miller Archives, England 2026. All rights reserved.

An old photograph album page featuring three black-and-white photographs. The top left photo shows a woman in a bathtub with a tiled wall. The top right photo depicts several individuals in military uniforms conversing. The bottom photo displays a group of soldiers walking across a rocky terrain, with remnants of a destroyed building in the background. Handwritten notes are visible near each image.
About:
A file from one of the Bodleian's most recent acquisitions - the ‘Miller-Beaton scrapbook’ featuring unseen works by Lee Miller and Cecil Beaton.
1. Lee Miller in Hitler's bathtub, Hitler's apartment, Munich, Germany, 1945 by Lee Miller with David E. Scherman

2.The Link-Up: Lee Miller examines a Russian officer's medal, Torgau, Germany 1945 by David E. Scherman

3. St Malo: Col. Von Aulock being escorted to jeep after surrender of Citadel, Rue de la Cité, St Malo, France 1944 by Lee Miller

All images © Lee Miller Archives, England 2026. All rights reserved.

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📷 ‘John Payne with Friends and his Pigeon Checker’ 1974 © Daniel Meadows Learn more about this image: www.strongisland.co/2012/06/25/d...

A black and white photo of three boys standing closely together outside in an urban area. The boy in the middle is holding a pigeon. Behind them are buildings and a cloudy sky.
About:
Daniel Meadows, ‘John Payne with Friends and his Pigeon Checker’ 1974 © Daniel Meadows

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📷 Helen Muspratt - an Oxford based photographer – shot strikingly experimental portraits like this one of the Surrealist artist Eileen Agar (MS. 16176 Photogr. 2 item 20)

A striking black and white photo of a woman looking at the camera.
About:
Helen Muspratt, an Oxford based photographer – shot strikingly experimental portraits like this one of the Surrealist artist Eileen Agar, MS. 16176 Photogr. 2 item 20

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📷 From the John Koh Collection of Early Photographs of Dogs, this nineteenth century image shows that people wanted an image of their pets almost as soon as photography was invented. (MS. 23892/1/1)

A sepia-toned vintage photograph in an ornate gold frame, depicting a dog sitting and facing forward.
About:
John Koh Collection of Early Photographs of Dogs, a nineteenth century image shows that people wanted an image of their pets almost as soon as photography was invented. MS. 23892/1/1

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