The History of Books and LibrariesJessica JahnkeLSC: 510 Books to BytesDr. Lauren Mandel April 28, 2015

Libraries are not just a storehouse for objects, but beacons of enlightenment for a culture. They represent a physical space available to all, where any views, beliefs or backgrounds are welcome and free of discrimination or censorship. These libraries create an environment that is unique in its disregard of wealth, status, political views or religious affiliation. They are truly all inclusive. The books found within libraries are relics of the past, chronicles of the present and dreams for the future. The history of the book is intrinsically linked to the development of libraries. When books were produced by hand, libraries were limited to those few wealthy enough to possess the means to accumulate these expensive books, usually royalty or religious figures. The great expense of transcription, the want of facility for procuring originals, and the enormous price of manuscripts left no hope to bibliophiles of moderate fortune (Bouchot, H. & Bigmore, E. C, 1887, p.290). The invention of the printing press dramatically changed both the course of history and the reading habits of a society. As literacy spread through the masses and books became more affordable and accessible, libraries were established for the use of the public. Libraries, along with museums, are the DNA of our civilization, the building blocks of our culture (Gregorian, 2007, p.47). They reflect the shared knowledge of a community, insight into the beliefs of society at that time and the perspective of the author. Books also elicit a unique response from the reader. According to author Jonathan Safran Foer Books are about having important conversations, whether theyre non-fiction or fiction...important conversations with culture, important conversations with yourself and with the author (as cited in Charlie Rose LLC, 2012).The establishment of libraries within communities signified the value of literacy and knowledge among the people, but also celebrated equality and inclusion for all members of society. Both books and libraries have histories, histories not just as objects and places, but as social environments. Books and libraries, like languages and writing systems, evolve and can change the societies and the cultures surrounding them (Valentine, 2012, viii). Although all libraries are great in their ability to promote knowledge and provide records of the past, some libraries are also historically significant in their establishment. These institutions demonstrated the importance society placed on knowledge and provide insight into the culture of a civilization. The ancient Egyptians recorded information on clay tablets and papyrus and their libraries were mainly for government and temple archives (Valentine, 2012, p.27). Although the records in libraries were maintained for practical purposes, libraries were still recognized for their value to society. In the tomb of the pharaoh Ramses II there was a library room inscribed a place for the cure of the soul (Valentine, 2012, p. 27), demonstrating Egyptians belief in the power of libraries.

The Great Library of AlexandriaThe Greeks are credited with establishing the first library in history in the third century BCE under the reign of Alexander the Great and his successors the Ptolemies (Howard, 2009, p. 20). This Great Library of Alexandria was reputed to have approximately half a million scrolls and the intention of its institution was to gather together all the knowledge of the known world (Lyons, 2011, p.26). It is documented that all books were seized upon entry into Egypt and transported to the Great Library to be reproduced by the copyists employed there. Once transcribed, the copies were returned the owners, and the originals would remain at the Great Library (Gertrude Burford Rawlings, 2010, p.31). This library is also recognized as creating the first alphabetically arranged catalog, a system that has continued to be used for centuries. (Lyons, 2011, p. 26)

Chained Books in a Medieval LibraryUntil the twelfth century, the medieval libraries were predominantly established for religious purposes and consisted mainly of liturgical manuscripts housed in monasteries (Howard, 2009, p. 22). By now, the physical form of books had evolved from scrolls to codices. The most valuable of these early books were often chained to shelves, but some of the monasteries had a lending section as well (Lyons, 2011, p. 38). As regards their contents, the Scriptures, missals, service-books, and similar manuscripts formed the larger part of the monastic libraries, but besides these they included copies of patristic and classical works, devotional and moral writings, lives of saints, chronicles, books on medicine, grammar, philosophy, logic, and, later, romances and fiction were admitted into this somewhat austere company (Gertrude Burford Rawlings, 2010, p.61)The Benedictines were the most influential of the early monasteries, and set the standard with their establishment of libraries and regulations for library use (Valentine, 2012, p.33). In a chapter of the Rule of Saint Benedict, there is a passage which states And in these days of Lent they shall each receive a book from the library, which they shall read straight through from the beginning (Valentine, 2012, p. 33). Although the intention of this doctrine was to promote liturgical works, the studying and copying of classical authors was also practiced by the monks. Knowledge of Greek and Latin was necessary for the reading of church literature and the monks developed proficiency in these languages by working with classical authors (Dahl, 1968, p. 42). The Catholic Church is credited with promoting the influence of classical authors and civilization, even to the modern day (Dahl, 1968, p. 42). The Benedictines libraries were renowned and monks from other orders borrowed from them, establishing an early form of the inter-library loan system (Krasner-Khait, 2007, p.4). The dawn of the twelfth century in Europe marked the founding of the first universities, which promoted book acquisition and accumulation (Howard, 2009, 22) and necessitated the creation of books on topics other than religion. Library regulations expanded as collections shifted and access increased to accommodate new subjects and a more varied class of users (Valentine, 2012, p. 35). These early libraries began the tradition of universities accumulating significant collections of books on a varied range of topics. The age of the Renaissance was marked by increased desire for intellectual pursuits, which greatly increased demand for access to books. As this cultural and intellectual rebirth (Howard, 2009, p.24) spread from Italy across Europe, literacy flourished and books spread through the masses. Public libraries, as opposed to noble, school, private or church book collections, first opened to serious readers in Renaissance Italy, with civically minded leaders such as the Medicis, even before the printing press spread to Italy (Valentine, 2012, p. 77). Although the invention of the printing press in the 1440s dramatically changed the ability to affordably and efficiently produce books, the impact of the printing revolution should not be exaggerated as it took almost a century before printed books began assuming a great importance in libraries (Valentine, 2012, p.78). The printing press made books more accessible, but it was the cultural and social demand for books that fostered larger library collections throughout Europe (Valentine, 2012, p. 79). The Vatican library in Rome, which opened in the mid-fifteenth century, was considered one of the greatest libraries in western Christendom (Valentine, 2012, p.79). By the 17th century, the library was open for public use two hours a day and although most of the books were chained to the tables, some were able to be check out to patrons (Valentine, 2012, p.79). As literacy spread and use of the printing press resulted in more affordable and accessible books, more libraries were formed for the use of the public. The invention of the printing press impacted libraries immensely and allowed them to amass large collections on a diverse range of subjects. Libraries are powerful in their ability to inspire personal enlightenment, as well as promote questioning and foster rebellion and revolt. Books remain a potent symbol...Therefore, the libraries that hold and promote books are not just benevolent information places, socially and culturally powerful, but potentially sinister in their effects (Valentine, 2012, viii). This ability of books and the libraries that house them, to inform society and incite reaction to perceived inequalities or injustices makes them potentially dangerous, which is why they are vulnerable to censorship or damage. The burning of libraries, both in the past and now, is a practice that is both symbolic and real in its destruction of knowledge. One of the first recorded libraries burned was the Library of Alexandria, perhaps when Julius Caesar took Alexandria, although the reason for the burning has been debated. Books and the libraries that house them, are our connection to both our past and our future. They provide us with the stories of who we are and where we come from. All of society can visit libraries, borrow books and access the knowledge found within, regardless of beliefs, wealth or status. Over rich or poor, black or white, yellow or red, Christian or Jew, Buddhist or Muslim, nonbeliever or devout followers of dozens of different faiths and adherents and devotees of many ideologies, libraries spread their inclusive umbrella of learning and knowledge, welcoming all who walk in through their open doors (Gregorian, 2007, p.47).

Works Cited

Bouchot, H., & Bigmore, E. C. (1887). The printed book: Its history, illustration, and adornment: From the days of Gutenberg to the present time. New York, NY: Scribner and Welford. Retrieved from https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/44890Burford Rawlings, G. (2010). The story of books. Retrieved from https://www.gutenberg.org/files/33413/33413-h/33413-h.htm#CHAPTER_IIIChained Books in a Medieval Library. [Image]. Retrieved on 4/25/2015 from http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3ALibraries_in_the_Medieval_and_Renaissance_Periods_Figure_7.jpgCharlie Rose LLC. (2012).A discussion about the history and future of books with Tim OReilly, Jane Friedman, Jonathan Safran Foer, Ken Auletta, and David Kastan. Retrieved from http://www.charlierose.com/watch/60142254Dahl, S. (1968). History of the book. New Jersey: The Scarecrow Press, Inc. Davidson, C. (1988). Towards a history of books and readers. American Quarterly. 40,1, 7-17. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/stable/2713139.Gregorian, V. (2007). A sense of elsewhere. American Libraries. 38, 10, 46-48. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/stable/27771380Howard, N. (2009). The book: The life story of a technology. Baltimore: The John Hopkins University Press. Krasner-Khait, B. (2007). Survivor: The history of the library. History Magazine. Retrieved from: http://www.history-magazine.com/libraries.htmlLyons, M. (2011). Books: A living history. London: Thames & Hudson.

Rawlings, G.B. (2010). The story of books. Retrieved from: https://www.gutenberg.org/files/33413/33413-h/33413-h.htm#CHAPTER_III

The Great Library of Alexandria. [Image]. Retrieved 4/25/2015 from http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3AAncientlibraryalex.jpg

Valentine, P. (2012). A social history of books and libraries from cuneiform to bytes. Lanham: The Scarecrow Press, Inc.