The Beginnings of Libraries

"The Beginnings of Libraries" by Ernest Cushing Richardson is a historical journey through the evolution of libraries, starting from their most basic forms to the sophisticated collections we recognize today. Written with the intent to educate, this work emphasizes the importance of historical understanding, particularly for students of library science, to whom grasping these origins is vital for comprehending the deep purpose and ongoing development of libraries. The narrative style is informational, carefully laying the groundwork with discussions on early record-keeping systems, emerging library science, and the necessary education for those who would become librarians, setting the stage for an exploration of their historical significance in connecting people to information.