The Care of Books: An Essay on the Development of Libraries and Their Fittings, From the Earliest Times to the End of the Eighteenth Century (Classic Reprint) - Hardcover

John Willis Clark

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 026644945X ISBN 13: 9780266449454

Publisher: Forgotten Books, 2018

Synopsis

In The Care of Books, you’ll explore how libraries grew from rough record rooms to organized spaces for reading, study, and safeguarding knowledge.

The book surveys fitings, furniture, and methods from ancient to early modern libraries, with a clear eye on practical how‑tos and historical context.

The author blends survey with concrete examples, showing how shelves, desks, chains, and book‑chests shaped daily use. The narrative highlights the people, places, and tools that kept collections accessible while protected from wear and theft.

• How ancient and medieval libraries were planned and built, and how space affected use
• Methods for securing books, including chaining, lecterns, and book‑desks
• Different fittings used in monastic, collegiate, and cathedral libraries
• Evolution of library layouts across centuries and regions

Ideal for readers of library history, architectural history, and curatorial practice seeking a grounded, accessible account of how books were cared for and displayed.

Edition details

• Publisher: Forgotten Books
• Publication date: 2018
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 026644945X
• ISBN 13: 9780266449454
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 526