Not just SHHHH any more: Libraries (2 Min Read)
A place of enchantment, excitement and learning. A brief on notable Libraries and Librarians.
The word ‘Library’ comes from the Latin word ‘Libraria’ which means “ Bookstore”. Benjamin Franklin, the founding father once started his own lending library in 1731 in Philadelphia called the Library Company.it required a subscription fee of 40 Shillings. ( They are most trusted resources )
The first libraries open to public were in ancient Greece. To prevent the valuable items being stolen, all books were chained to the tables. Philanthropist Andrew Carnegie was a one man Library funding machine. Between 1886-1919 an astonishing 2509 Libraries were opened worldwide. ( He did leave his mark in history )
The rare books Library at Harvard only exists because of the sinking of the Titanic. Book collector and Harvard graduate Harry Elkins Widener perished during the sinking of the Titanic. As a result his mother endowed a Library in his honour at Harvard. The Library hold’s Widener personal collection of over 3300 rare works. ( A legend persist that due to her son’s fate, Mrs Eleanor Widener made it a condition that all students must learn to swim )
As library collections grew in size and scope, it became necessary to catalogue and organize these collections in a systematic manner. So in 1876 American Librarian Melvil Dewey invented a method of Library classification known as “ Dewey Decimal System’. ( He considered too intense for women to work in Libraries )
The Library of Alexandria established around 3rd c BC was the largest and significant library of the ancient world employing over 100 scholars. Alexandria was the capital of knowledge and learning because of this library. ( They still watch over historic artifacts )
It was during this decade that Johannes Gutenberg revolutionised printing in Europe, with his invention of printing of movable type. Pope Nicholas V began acquiring materials for this library in 1448.- The Vatican Library. The first librarian created a catalogue of library holdings in 1481 after it was formally established in 1475. ( They are more of them than you think )
Liberty of Congress Washington DC is the largest Library in the world, has an astonishing 118+ million books on its shelves. Librarians used to have to learn a specific type of handwriting- ‘Library Hand’ was a specific rounded style of cursive script that was developed to standardise handwriting. ( They serve more customers than you think )
There’s a Library of smells in Versailles- contains over 3200 scents out of which 400 are no longer made. ‘The Cat in the Hat’ written by Dr Seuss remains one of the most popular children’s book ever written. ( When in doubt go to the Library )
There’s a Magician Library in New York- holds over 12000 books in different languages and rare text from the 15th c. The most overdue library book in the world was returned after 122 years- The first edition of Charles Darwin’s Insectivorous Plants was borrowed in 1889 and returned to Camden School of Arts Lending Library, Australia in 2011. ( The only thing that you absolutely have to know is the location of the Library)
Former FBI Director J Edgar Hoover, author Lewis Carroll, former first lady Laura Bush, China’s Mao Zedong and Giacomo Casanova referred to as ‘world’s greatest lover’, all worked as Librarians. ( No wonder Libraries were full of ideas- perhaps the most dangerous & powerful of all weapons )