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2000 BCE
Ancient Libraries: Ebla
Ebla is located in what is now modern day Syria and has one of the most impressive of ancient libraries. Over 15,000 tablets were uncovered most dealing with law, administration and religion. -
288 BCE
Ancient Libraries: The Great Library of Alexandria
Libraries became more available to people by including scholars not just government and religious figures. The library worked directly with the king recommending books for him to read while also serving as tutors to the royal family children. -
800
Medieval Libraries: First Catalog System
Libraries of Medieval societies such as Greece and Rome began the first cataloging system for libraries because libraries became to large to manage them without. -
1300
Universities Libraries: Expansion of Availability
Universities started collecting books to be available for students in staff within a university. This started moving libraries more to public, but still the wealthy and educated, rather than contained within Churches. -
Invention of Printing
Printing helped to mass produce books. This helped libraries expand and grow especially university libraries. -
Libraries of Colonies
Colonization of America brought an early form of education that helped more of the population learn to read and write. -
Industrial Revolution
During the 1800s a thanks to a major economic boom, middle class workers had more leisure time and ability to enjoy a lifestyle that until then only the affluent population could enjoy. One result of this was an increase in public libraries that were genuinely public for everyone, not just the wealthy intellectuals. -
Expansion of Public Libraries Across America
Public libraries began to build more success and ability to stay open by the late 1800s into the 1920s to where almost 6,000 libraries were created for the public. Apart of this expansion was the 310 million dollars Andrew Carnegie donated to help build 1,679 libraries across america. -
Librarianship
Librarianship is recognized by the ALA, American Library Association, to need reformation that would require a college degree and PhD. in library sciences. -
Libraries Connect to the Internet
Libraries and schools across America connect to the internet boosting libraries into the future.
