Chronology of Librarianship

Many monographs have been written upon certain periods in the history of librarianship, or dealing with individuals or institutions, but a book covering the entire field has not previously been attempted. The chronological arran-gement assists one to appreciate the development of librarianship, for the important events are illustrated as milestones along the road of progress. This book can be considered as stepping-stones consisting of the chief events that have influenced the history of librarianship, connected together by the important details in the lives of those who have made the history. The librarians and book-collectors are of primary importance, and their lives illustrate the development of the subject far better than would the historical background, for political interference has too often resulted in the destruction, rather than const-ruction, of libraries. Material is scanty, and even non-existent for certain periods, and this book is an attempt to gather together the fragmentary remains of the history of libraries and book-Collecting.