The History of Libraries Books Schmooks The History of Libraries

LIBRARY From the Greek word “Libros”, meaning book

So. . .Where was the first library? Ancient Mesopotamia (now Iraq, Syria and Turkey) No Books No Scrolls Instead, had. . .

Clay Tablets! Written in Cuneiform Written on while wet, then dried or baked Thousands still exist Still can’t read them!

Most Famous Library of Ancient Times: Alexandrian Library Alexandria, Egypt Had scrolls instead of clay tablets Had a copy of every known scroll 500,000 items! Destroyed during war with Romans in 200 A.C.E. Nothing left today

Papyrus Scroll

From Scroll to Book Switched from papyrus to paper Didn’t join easily into rolls Began to sew them into books All written and illustrated BY HAND

Oldest Library in the US Harvard University Library Founded in 1638 400 Books Donated by clergyman John Harvard

What is the Largest Library in the World? Library of Congress - Washington, D.C. Over 130 MILLION items Owns about 5,700 INCUNABULA (books printed before 1501) Have a copy of the first book to be printed. . .

The Gutenberg Bible

Other Cool Libraries:

Bodleian Library, Oxford

Geisel Library - UCSD

Kansas City Public Library

Library of Alexandria - Egypt

Library of Alexandria - Close Up

Library of Alexandria - Interior

Library of Picture Books - Japan

Library of Malmo, Sweden

Royal Library of Copenhagen

Seattle Public Library

Santa Maria Public Library, California