Between the Stacks

Happy National Library Week! If you do not have a library card or have not been to the Library in a while, we invite you to come check out all of the programs and services. Also, coming up is National Children’s Book Week, May 1-7, and the “Erin in Exile” exhibit with activities throughout the month of May. In June the summer reading program will begin with this year’s theme “Building a Better World”. There will be programs on building a better world through science, dance, art, puppetry, and more.

One of the most interesting classes I took in graduate school was titled “History of the Book”, which also included a history of libraries. I traced the first private libraries in Mesopotamia through the modern information centers people use today. Did you know the first libraries were only available to the people who owned them and their friends? It wasn’t until the Great Library in Alexandria, Egypt was opened up to the public (patrons with the proper credentials that is), that the idea of accumulating and sharing knowledge really took hold.

Books were considered great treasures and libraries existed in both Greece and Rome. With the invention of the “codex” which replaced the scroll, monasteries were able to begin collecting works made out of vellum instead of more fragile materials, which would not last in the damper northern climates. The wooden covers used when making a codex helped protect the works. If you are interested in the making of books, there is a wonderful video on YouTube titled “Making Manuscripts” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1aDHJu9J10o ) which shows the entire process.

During the Renaissance and after, libraries flourished and with the invention of the printing press by Johannes Gutenberg in 1440, books were suddenly widely available. Many of the large university libraries expanded their collections through private donations, just as our library does today. Currently, libraries have evolved to include many types of information services and media. The role of librarians now includes programming, technology assistance, reference services, administration, public relations, materials selection, and much more. Librarians serve as public, academic, school, and special interest information specialists all over the globe. One of my favorite young adult literature reviewers is a school librarian in Hong Kong. With modern communications, she is able to post her reviews online and reach an audience of hundreds of people.

Thursday, April 13, the Library Board will be meeting in Whitehall at 6:30 p.m. That is also the night of our Music Jam group so they will be rehearsing upstairs for their May performance. If you would like to join the group please come and see what they are all about. If you would just like to come and listen, you are also welcome!