This document discusses the history of libraries from ancient times to the modern era. It describes how papyrus and parchment were early materials used for writing before the development of the codex or bound book. The printing press was invented in the 15th century by Johannes Gutenberg, making books more widely accessible. Melvil Dewey developed the decimal classification system and helped establish modern librarianship. Andrew Carnegie funded the construction of over 3,000 libraries across America and abroad in the late 19th/early 20th century. Mobile libraries first emerged in the early 20th century to increase access to books in rural areas.

1. LIS 2012
Douglas Davidson
History of Libraries, Part 1

2. • Papyrus, a reed, used for early “paper”
• In areas where unavailable (Europe), parchment eventually
became the norm.
• The codex (what we now call a “book”) has bound leaves, first of
wood for legal documents and later of parchment.
• Became popular for Christian scriptures; were more portable,
durable, and more easily handled.
Scroll to Codex

3. • Invented by Johannes Gutenberg ca. 1440
• Had moveable type
• Much slower than today’s processes but much faster
than hand-writing
• Preceded by automated paper manufacture
• Fundamentally changed accessibility of books and
attitudes toward books
The Printing Press

4. • Father of Modern Libraries
• Created decimal classification system, published in
1876
• Co-founded the American Library Association
• Created School of Library Economy at Columbia
College in 1884; the school opened with three men
and 17 women
• Later moved the school to Albany as the New York
State Library School
Melvil Dewey

5. • You’ve probably heard of a “Carnegie Library”
• Created United States Steel Corporation in 1901
• Became richest man in the world
• Philanthropist who created almost 3,000 libraries in the
United States and abroad, including oldest library in
Washington, D.C.
• Built the libraries but required local funding and
maintenance
• Largely spearheaded the institution of the public library
in the United States
Andrew Carnegie

6. • Mary Titcomb is credited with the first mobile library, a horse-drawn
carriage, in Maryland in 1905 (although traveling libraries did exist before
this).
• First became motorized in 1912.
• Introduced a Model T truck bookmobile in 1924.
• The Library Services Act of 1956 focused on rural library development,
resulting in many new bookmobiles.
• Bookmobiles continue today, built compactly in buses and serving under-
served populations.
Mobile Libraries