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Earliest libraries -

The earliest libraries came about soon after humans began to keep written records, dating back to 2500 BCE. While almost all the earliest libraries were subjected to destruction, several of the works that were stored in them managed to survive.

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al-Qarawiyyin Library -

The oldest library in the world is said to be the al-Qarawiyyin Library, located in Morocco, which first opened in 859 CE. The library was founded by Fatima al-Fihri, the daughter of a rich Tunisian merchant, who also founded one of the oldest universities with the same namesake (pictured).

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Saint Catherine’s Monastery -

The oldest functioning library in the world is located in the Egyptian Sinai in Saint Catherine’s Monastery. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the monastery’s library holds some of the most important documents in the Christian world.

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Oldest libraries -

All of the world’s oldest libraries are located between North Africa and West Asia, pointing to the role of the Middle East, in particular, in fostering documentation and scholarship in library spaces.

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Repositories -

These ancient libraries were largely repositories for documentation and essential texts. Often written on parchment or clay, manuscripts and tablets are still our most significant reference for the evolution of human life.

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Scholarly pursuits -

However, at the time, libraries were largely designated as sites for scholarly pursuits, often associated with royal or religious orders.

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Pre-printing press -

Widespread reading was not the primary function of the library space in ancient civilizations. This is not due to literacy rates, but rather that the printing press had not yet been invented, so there was often only one precious copy of a text.

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Middle Ages -

During the Middle Ages, most texts were limited to monasteries. Religious study was a central feature of the library space, often reserved for the elite, members of the clergy, and scholars.

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Conservation of classic texts -

Although these limitations continued to bar wide access to the library spaces, the work conducted during this period is largely responsible for the conservation of Greek and Roman classical texts.

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Emergence of the printing press -

By the Renaissance period, public libraries began to emerge thanks to the invention of the printing press by Johannes Gutenberg in the mid-13th century.

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Democratization of reading -

It is the printing press that is responsible for the “democratization of reading,” as the copying of books became more accessible, and therefore, more available. Literacy rates in Europe began to surge following the introduction of the printing press.

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Accessibility -

Access to knowledge through public and university libraries also became more common, in many ways diminishing the gap between allegiance to royal or religious institutions and access to texts.

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Enlightenment -

The 18^th century saw this trend expand even further. Public libraries emerged throughout the West, often promoted by governments. The Enlightenment period ushered in greater access to education across socio-economic classes.

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Literacy rates -

Literacy rates began to grow steadily and the library became a place where people could both borrow and read books for free. In this way, knowledge became a public resource.

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Reading materials -

The 19^th century, in conjunction with the Industrial Revolution, began a new era of access to reading materials, such as newspapers and magazines. Literacy rates continued to rise during this period.

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Dewey Decimal Classification -

Specialized libraries that catered to specific fields (i.e. law, medicine, sciences) also emerged. Vast amounts of research were now more accessible due to the development of a categorization system that libraries around the world continue to use, namely the Dewey Decimal Classification.

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Library science -

During this period, library science also became a discipline, creating a breadth of professionals who sought to structure the library efficiently to generate greater accessibility.

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Libraries as accessible spaces -

This continued and expanded well into the 20^th century, with libraries as central places where anyone could access reading materials, regardless of their socio-economic status.

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Revolutionary approach -

This revolutionary approach to reading, in which it was no longer a practice reserved for elite scholarship or religious investigation but instead a practice of democratic and communal gathering, was furthered throughout the 20^th century.

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Digital shift -

Likely, the most significant shift since then has been the role of libraries within the digital age, in which the physical space of the library also became a digital space, with materials accessible online.

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Breaking barriers -

Digital databases and archives, as well as e-books, further broke down any barriers to reading and information. Suddenly, the library began to exist beyond its physical space.

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Access to the internet -

Open access initiatives, online catalogs, and resources like Google Books, among other examples, made scholarly materials accessible for anyone with access to the internet.

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Cultural spaces -

Libraries also evolved into cultural spaces. In addition to offering access to technology, many libraries also host events, such as author talks, educational programs, skill-building, and creative workshops, among other services.

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Accessible services -

Offering these accessible services to those without the means has transformed the library into an essential community space that provides resources people may not be able to access in their homes.

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Reinvention of the library -

Over the last several decades, the emergence of the smartphone and the age of 'information at your fingertips,' have forced libraries to reinvent themselves, with services going far beyond borrowing books.

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Social work services -

Libraries offer a world inside themselves. In many ways, it’s a place where people from differing walks of life are able to access social work services, helping people to write their CVs or even apply for jobs.

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Community centers -

Libraries can function as community centers, encouraging the shared use of resources among entire communities and fostering a sense of common belonging. When was the last time you visited your local library?

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Society's evolution -

The transformation of the library over the years is directly reflected in society’s evolution. The preservation and organization of knowledge within the library space have certainly shaped how we engage with information.

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A space for everyone -

The fascinating history and evolution of the library as a space for the few and its transformation to a space for everyone is an extraordinary testament to the power of the promotion of information and knowledge.

Sources: (Oldest.com) (Library Journal) (The Library of Congress) (Internet Archive) (The Journal of Academic Librarianship)

See also: Read up on the world's strangest libraries

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