Libraries in the Ancient World is a sort of pre-history of libraries. It starts with the Ancient Near East and moves on to England in the Middle Ages before it ends.
It's an interesting read (Well, I would say that, wouldn't I, being a library addict and all). Casson has researched archeological digs, old letters (old, old letters), and descriptions in comedies for information on just who first built libraries where, what was in them, who could access them, and how things were arranged. And, you know, public libraries were available a lot earlier than I thought? As in, Ancient Rome had them, and some of the Greek cities.
Worth picking up from your local library and taking a look.
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