The History of the Library in Western Civilization: A Review Essay

摘要

This important question can be answered from multiple perspectives, but too rarely is it asked and are answers explored within the broad context of the historical connection between the library and society or, more specifically, the place, function, and contribution of the library as a social agency in different societies and periods. One reason, no doubt, is that few works of writing are more difficult to configure (or more valuable to produce) than a substantial and flowing overview of a social phenomenon such as the library.