Book Review

This lively book looks at the founding and development of libraries in the western world from the ancient Near East to the European Middle Ages, covering approximately 3000 years of library history in the process. Casson, a well-known classicist, profiles notable libraries (there is an entire chapter on the library at Alexandria). He also chronicles the rise of libraries in everyday life, whether as public institutions or part of a private collection. Parallel to this, Casson tracks related developments in the various societies that he studies, such as the book (there is a separate chapter on the development of the codex), the library catalog (he notes the first known instance of alphabetization), and literacy – as well as what we know about the individual librarians involved. He describes how libraries were developed and how they fit into each of the societies that he looks at, whether as educational institutions in ancient Greece or as a part of bathhouses in ancient Rome.

The book is divided into compact chapters focusing on the ancient Near East, Greece, Alexandria and the growth of libraries, the Roman empire (both inside and outside of Rome), and the Middle Ages. The largest part of the book is on the heyday of Greece and Rome; the Middle Ages is introduced but not looked at with the same depth. Egyptian libraries are not examined, because, as Casson notes, their holdings of writings on papyrus rotted away.

Much of the information that we have about ancient libraries is based by necessity on either archeological records or obscure mentions in various ancient histories and commentaries. However, Casson extrapolates the likely use and policies associated with these libraries. He provides a library-centric focus, talking about aspects that have parallels with libraries today, with intriguing examples. For instance, he talks about accessions procedure in the library at Alexandria (“rolls usually had a tab attached to one end bearing the author's name and ethnic” (35)), collection development at Rome (“War meant loot, and the opportunity to loot offered in certain places a quick way of acquiring a library” (68)), and the borrowing procedures in Sumeria, where the library holdings consisted of clay tablets. From the colophon of one of these tablets comes a breathtaking damage policy that may remain useful as a muttered incantation for the librarian whose patrons damage books:

“ 'He who breaks this tablet or puts it in water or rubs it until you cannot recognize it [and] cannot make it be understood, may Ashur, Sin, Shamash, Adad and Ishtar, Bel, Nergal, Ishtar of Ninevah, Istar of Arbela, Ishtar of Bit Kidmurri, the gods of heaven and earth and the gods of Assyria, may all these curse him with a curse which cannot be relieved, terrible and merciless, as long as he lives, may they let his name, his seed, be carried off from the land, may they put his flesh in a dog's mouth!'” (14).

Throughout, Casson offers up similar gems. His writing is entertaining and fast-paced, there are many pictures and drawings, and at only 145 pages, the book is short enough for even overworked students to read. While Casson does provide detailed notes on his sources, these are not included in the text but are incorporated in an additional 26 pages at the back. There is also an index and a list of illustrations. This is a great compilation of information on a wonderful topic, and for library students, a fascinating look at our predecessors.

"This is a great compilation of information on a wonderful topic, and for library students, a fascinating look at our predecessors."