1. The History of Libraries
Books Schmooks
The History of Libraries

2. LIBRARY
From the Greek word “Libros”, meaning book

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

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

5. 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

6. Papyrus Scroll

7. 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

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

9. 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. . .

10. The Gutenberg Bible

11. Other Cool Libraries:

12. Bodleian Library, Oxford

13. Geisel Library - UCSD

14. Kansas City Public Library

15. Library of Alexandria - Egypt

16. Library of Alexandria - Close Up

17. Library of Alexandria - Interior

18. Library of Picture Books - Japan

19. Library of Malmo, Sweden

20. Royal Library of Copenhagen

21. Seattle Public Library

22. Santa Maria Public Library, California