The Library : An Illustrated History

Through the ages, humanity has created, destroyed, rescued, neglected, discovered, stolen, and cherished libraries and no other institution so perfectly mirrors the human condition in any period of history.The Library tells the story of libraries and of the changing form and function of the book from era to era, whether clay tablets, parchment sheets, papyrus scrolls, glossy paper, recording tape or silicone chips. At the heart of the story of libraries and books is the story of the reader, who also has changed from era to era. Profusely illustrated, with fascinating is a comprehensive look at libraries that will interest book lovers and librarians. 100 illustrations, 80 in color "The first libraries appeared five thousand years ago in Southwest Asia's 'Fertile Crescent'... the birthplace of writing, some time before 3000 BCE," writes Stuart A. P. Murray, introducing his fascinating exploration into the history of the library. With the dawning of advanced civilization, the written word flourished and the need for libraries became paramount in many societies. Throughout the history of the world, libraries have been constructed, burned, discovered, raided, and cherished —while the treasures they housed evolved from early stone tablets, to beautifully illumined vellum, and to the mass-produced, bound paper books and the digital formats of our present day. *The Library* opens doors to the libraries of ancient Greece, early China, Renaissance England, and modern-day America. This volume speaks to the book lover in all of us while offering a panoramic view of the history of libraries across the centuries. Incorporating beautiful illustrations, insightful quotations, and descriptions of many marvellous libraries —their books, patrons, and keepers— *The Library* is certain to provide a wealth of knowledge and enjoyment. Published with the cooperation of the American Library Association and with an introduction by Donald G. Davis, Jr. and a foreword by bestselling author Nicholas A. Basbanes, Stuart A. P. Murray's *The Library* takes the reader on a compelling and informative journey through the dynamic history of our beloved libraries. Through the ages, humanity has created, destroyed, rescued, neglected, discovered, stolen, and cherished libraries—and no other institution so perfectly mirrors the human condition in any period of history. The Library tells the story of libraries and of the changing form and function of the book from era to era, whether clay tablets, parchment sheets, papyrus scrolls, glossy paper, recording tape, or silicone chips. At the heart of the story of libraries and books is the story of the reader, who also has changed from era to era. Profusely illustrated, Stuart Murray's comprehensive and fascinating study discusses the libraries of ancient Babylon, Greece, and Rome; the libraries of early China; medieval Islamic libraries; the Renaissance; the history of libraries in America from colonial times to the present; the effect of libraries in today's developing world; the modern cyberspace li-brary; and more. Published in cooperation with the American Library Association,... The History Of Libraries From Ancient To Modern Times Is Presented Through A Review Of The Types Of Documents Stored, The Structures Themselves, The Way They Have Been Managed, And The Important Part They Have Played In Every Culture Around The World. The Ancient Libraries -- European Libraries Of The Middle Ages -- Asia And Islam -- Europe's High Middle Ages -- Renaissance To Reformation -- People Of The Book -- War And A Golden Age -- The Library In Colonial North America -- The Library In The Young United States -- Libraries Across America -- Organizing Knowledge -- Libraries, Librarians, And Media Centers -- Libraries Of The World. Stuart A.p. Murray ; Introduction By Donald G. Davis, Jr. ; Foreword By Nicholas A. Basbanes. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 305-307) And Index.

A comprehensive and fascinating study discusses libraries from ancient Babylon to colonial America, the Renaissance to cyberspace.

Throughout the history of the world, libraries have been constructed, burned, discovered, raided, and cherished—and the treasures they've housed have evolved from early stone tablets to the mass-produced, bound paper books of our present day. The Library invites you to enter the libraries of ancient Greece, early China, Renaissance England, and modern-day America, and speaks to the book lover in all of us. Incorporating beautiful illustrations, insightful quotations, and many marvelous mysteries of libraries—their books, patrons, and keepers—this book is certain to provide you with a wealth of knowledge and enjoyment.

Through the ages, humanity has created, destroyed, rescued, neglected, discovered, stolen, and cherished libraries, and no other institution so perfectly mirrors the human condition in any period of history. The Library tells the story of libraries and of the changing form and function of the book from era to era, whether clay tablets, parchment sheets, papyrus scrolls, glossy paper, recording tape or silicone chips. At the heart of the story of libraries and books is the story of the reader, who also has changed from era to era. Profusely illustrated, with fascinating is a comprehensive look at libraries that will interest book lovers and librarians In this remarkable story, Stuart A.P. Murray traces the elaborate history of the library from its very beginnings in the ancient libraries of Babylon and Alexandria to some of the greatest contemporary institutionsthe Royal Society of London, the Newberry Library, the Smithsonian, and many others. Illustrated with 130 rich color photos, readers can follow the fascinating progress of the institution we now know today as the library. - Publisher. Foreword Introduction The Ancient Libraries European Libraries of the Middle Ages Asia and Islam Europe's High Middle Ages Renaissance to Reformation People of the Book War and a Golden Age The Library in Colonial North America The Library in the Young United States The Library Movement Organizing Knowledge Libraries, Librarians, and Media Centers Libraries of the World Acknowledgments Sources For Further Reading Index The ancient libraries European libraries of the Middle Ages Asia and Islam Europe's high Middle Ages Renaissance to Reformation People of the book War and a golden age The library in colonial North America The library in the young United States Libraries across America Private and public libraries Modern libraries. On a December night in 1853, gangs of diggers labored with pick and shovel by the light of oil lamps to fill baskets and handcarts with sandy rubble.