The History of Libraries. From Clay Tablets to Media Spaces

This fascinating book will take the reader through the 50 most amazing libraries in the world: from ancient times to the present day.
The house of wisdom, a treasury of knowledge, a "shelter of thought," a "temple of literature," a "pharmacy... for the soul"... These are some of the names given to libraries in different eras. The earliest libraries were primarily repositories of books and documents, while libraries in Antiquity and the Middle Ages were places for communication and knowledge exchange, scientific and cultural centers. A modern library is a multifunctional space where people not only read books but also listen to lectures, visit exhibitions, and participate in quests.
In this book, we have gathered all the most interesting facts about iconic libraries in Russia and the world. An exciting journey through time awaits you: we will visit the book depository of the library of Ashurbanipal and learn how ancient librarians found the books they needed, peek into the legendary Library of Alexandria, stroll through the halls of the amazing Bodleian Library, where even films were shot, and visit the national libraries of Russia, France, and Great Britain, and meet the famous keepers of libraries.
You will discover which library is the smallest in the world, which is the largest, what books were in the personal library of Lev Nikolaevich Tolstoy, and when the first electronic book appeared. And also, you will learn how to decipher bookplates!
Libraries are not just shelves with books but places where knowledge is stored, destinies, ideas, and discoveries intertwine. You will see how books became a bridge between eras and, perhaps, find your favorite library.