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Library
Library: An Unquiet History | Matthew Battles
42 posts | 15 read | 43 to read
Through the ages, libraries have not only accumulated and preserved, but shaped, inspired and obliterated knowledge. Matthew Battles takes us on a fascinating journey from Boston to Baghdad, from classical scriptoria to medieval monasteries, from the Vatican to the British Library. The library has been a battleground of competing notions of what books mean to us, from the clay-tablet collections of ancient Mesopotamia to the legendary libraries of Alexandria, from the burned scrolls of the Qing Dynasty to the book-pyres of the Hitler Youth, from the Dewey Decimal System to the Internet. Battles explores how the library has served two contradictory impulses: to exalt canons of literature, to secure and celebrate the best writing; and the desire to contain all forms of human knowledge - to keep all the books. In its custody of books and the words they contain, the library has confronted and tamed technology, the forces of change and the power of princes time and again.
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Jenniebooks
Library: An Unquiet History | Matthew Battles
Mehso-so

Describes history and importance of my favorite place.

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Jenniebooks
Library: An Unquiet History | Matthew Battles
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Jenniebooks
Library: An Unquiet History | Matthew Battles
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Created Dewey Decimal System

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Jenniebooks
Library: An Unquiet History | Matthew Battles
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Jenniebooks
Library: An Unquiet History | Matthew Battles
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review
shanaqui
Library: An Unquiet History | Matthew Battles
Mehso-so

This one felt kinda distracted and aimless, meandering through history and choosing some vaguely topical places/times/people to visit. Partly I think I just didn't connect with it, so I'd catch myself skimming if I wasn't careful. Not sure why!

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shanaqui
Library: An Unquiet History | Matthew Battles

Plugging along with this and kind of not really connecting with it/absorbing much information? Meh.

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shanaqui
Library: An Unquiet History | Matthew Battles
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"the earliest still surviving copy of Beowulf"...
Ugh, I hate it when non-fiction is not properly fact-checked. It gives me pause about the author's grasp of facts in general. I know this seems like a small point, but it's so well-known that Beowulf exists in one single solitary manuscript. It's not the oldest surviving manuscript... It is the ONLY surviving manuscript. This fact is not difficult at all to discover. And this guy is a librarian? ?

SamAnne These sorts of wrong details drive me bonkers. (edited) 4y
Clare-Dragonfly I don‘t really know, so this is a genuine question. Could they have been deliberately making the distinction between “manuscript” and “copy”? I could go pick up a translated copy of Beowulf at my local bookstore right now if I wanted (well, in the morning, they‘re closed now), but it wouldn‘t be a manuscript. 4y
shanaqui @Clare-Dragonfly You could in theory mean that, but it wouldn't fit with the topic under discussion (the pulping of old manuscripts and use of them in bindings of other books). IIRC, it was not copied until around 1800. 4y
shanaqui Drat, sent before I was done because I forget Litsy don't let me make new lines... Anyway, when you talk about "surviving copies" of a manuscript, you're talking about the originals and not the modern transcriptions, or even facsimiles. It's possible he was referring to copies made hundreds of years later, but it'd be a bit weird given the context. 4y
17 likes4 comments
review
booklover3258
Library: An Unquiet History | Matthew Battles
Bailedbailed

I couldnt get past the first chapter. Too boring for me. Not a history fan but i thought a history of the library would be interesting. Alas it fell flat for me.

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The.Intentional.Reader
Library: An Unquiet History | Matthew Battles
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My dream home would be like:

Autumnscribe I may just cut out the bedroom and hang a hammock in the library. ;) 6y
12 likes2 comments
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Palimpsest
Library: An Unquiet History | Matthew Battles
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Pickpick

I recommend this book to hard core lovers of non-fiction books about books. It‘s good in that it discusses the collection and protection of books, but also why people throughout history might want to destroy books. Covers Alexandria, the flourishing of knowledge in the East when it dwindled in the West, public libraries and university libraries throughout history, up until the present day way of housing books including digitized books. Informative

52 likes2 stack adds
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Librarybelle
Library: An Unquiet History | Matthew Battles
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#ItsAShame I have nothing to read...🤣🤣🤣

Just one side of my personal library (and the tagged book is one of these!). #aprella

goodbyefrancie Love your library! I have a home library, and I always seem to need a new book. 😉 It's not hoarding if It's books. #noshame 7y
batsy 😍 7y
Librarybelle Thank you, @goodbyefrancie ! #Noshame indeed, and definitely not hoarding!! 7y
See All 16 Comments
erzascarletbookgasm Love! So neat too! 7y
Cinfhen ❤️📚❤️📚 7y
AnneCecilie 😍 7y
emilyhaldi Omg this looks incredible!!!! 🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻 7y
Cathythoughts ❤️ 7y
Mdargusch I ❤️ book porn! 7y
Reviewsbylola 🤣🤣🤣 I know those feels! 7y
CarolynM Oh yeah, don't you hate that?😂 (edited) 7y
Eggs WOW 😳 7y
Librarybelle @CarolynM Isn‘t it the worst?? 🤣 7y
98 likes1 stack add16 comments
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goodbyefrancie
Library: An Unquiet History | Matthew Battles
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I just finished helping with set up for our local library book sale. Two big rooms full of treasures!

TheBookHippie Oh fun! 7y
SilversReviews Oh.....I love it. Ours isn‘t until July. Have fun. 7y
CindyMyLifeIsLit My mouth is watering. Is that normal? 😜 7y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks ❤️❤️❤️ 7y
97 likes4 comments
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swynn
Library: An Unquiet History | Matthew Battles
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Happy NLW Litsy!

asiriusreader Welcome to Litsy! 7y
10 likes1 comment
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Palimpsest
Library: An Unquiet History | Matthew Battles
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Trying to stay warm on this dreary afternoon and reading one of my birthday books. So far so good!

IamIamIam HAHA, I got that book for my birthday too!!! 🙋 7y
Palimpsest @lamlamlam that‘s awesome! And I find it an interesting coincidence as that book has been out for awhile. I had it on my want list for awhile. I also got Packing My Library. I love books about books. 7y
57 likes1 stack add2 comments
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The.Intentional.Reader
Library: An Unquiet History | Matthew Battles
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Love this quote

CarolynM That's always been my motto!😉 7y
17 likes1 comment
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The.Intentional.Reader
Library: An Unquiet History | Matthew Battles
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My library just redid their check in desk and now it looks to be somewhat automated. It was pretty cool to insert the book and see it travel through the different stages and eventually up through the ceiling on the right side on the photograph.

Reecaspieces No way my library will ever get anything this upscale. They are lucky to have computers 😂 #smalltownlife 7y
14 likes1 comment
review
nanoauthor
Library: An Unquiet History | Matthew Battles
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Mehso-so

Celebrating finishing my first book of the year with some Star Trek and bullet journaling.

The information in this book was interesting - at points. It seemed to veer from the topic of libraries quite frequently. It also felt like it tried to cover too much history in one go without really moving through time clearly.

#bulletjournal #bujo #review #startrek

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nanoauthor
Library: An Unquiet History | Matthew Battles
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Rhuby and I had the same idea - cozy up in front of the space heater
#catsoflitsy #currentread #firstbookoftheyear

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nanoauthor
Library: An Unquiet History | Matthew Battles
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Starting off 2018 with an informative, but not great read. We'll see how it goes once i get to the stuff i'm more interested in. Meanwhile, enjoy this picture of Deliliah. #currentread #happynewyear #catsoflitsy

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melissanorr
Library: An Unquiet History | Matthew Battles
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This is me today. I'm off but I need to go to another branch to pick stuff up for my branch 😃

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nanoauthor
Library: An Unquiet History | Matthew Battles
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A small library haul from today, plus some pins I ordered from Etsy
#haul #tbr #libraries

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Librarybelle
Library: An Unquiet History | Matthew Battles
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Many quotes about the #library in this book. A nice little history on the evolution of libraries. #quotsynov17

59 likes4 stack adds
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The.Intentional.Reader
Library: An Unquiet History | Matthew Battles
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Things Librarians should say:

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IamIamIam
Library: An Unquiet History | Matthew Battles
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CHECK OUT MY BIRTHDAY GIFT!!!! Whoo hoo!!!.

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Librarybelle
Library: An Unquiet History | Matthew Battles
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Here's a book aptly named for today's #library prompt. An interesting book that was published in the early 2000s, so Battles can only go so far when discussing the new technologies for libraries. But, a nice history of libraries and their place in society, from the perspective of a rare books librarian. #sizzlinsummerbooks

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KatyAliceReads
Library: An Unquiet History | Matthew Battles
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PEEK-A-BOOK! I just got a job at my local public library!

LectricSheep Congratulations!!! 📚🎉💕 7y
Mdargusch Dream job!❤ 7y
Merethebookgal Awesome! Congrats! 7y
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saresmoore How exciting! Congratulations! 7y
Nat_Reads Congratulations! 7y
DebinHawaii Congratulations! 🎉📚🎉👍 7y
tpixie Yippee!!!! 7y
24 likes7 comments
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The.Intentional.Reader
Library: An Unquiet History | Matthew Battles
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Just in case your having a rough day, here's some library stacks for you. Enjoy!

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The.Intentional.Reader
Library: An Unquiet History | Matthew Battles
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Best way to spend a Saturday morning? With the family at the Library!

9 likes1 stack add
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The.Intentional.Reader
Library: An Unquiet History | Matthew Battles
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Couldn't agree more!

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The.Intentional.Reader
Library: An Unquiet History | Matthew Battles
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Me at the library like three times a week. I have a problem😜

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MrBook
Library: An Unquiet History | Matthew Battles
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#TBRtemptation post 3! Libraries have accumulated & preserved but have also shaped, inspired, & obliterated knowledge. Former rare books librarian & Harvard MetaLAB visionary, Battles, take us from Boston to Baghdad to China, from classical scriptoria to the Information Age. He explores how libraries are built and specifically purposed and then destroyed throughout history. He devotes chapters to the digital upheaval. #blameLitsy #blameMrBook 😎

LitsyGoesPostal 😊👍🏻 8y
77 likes7 stack adds1 comment
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btfw
Library: An Unquiet History | Matthew Battles
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Pickpick

Extremely interesting to read. A must read for book lovers.

ReadingOver50 Love that cover! 8y
DebinHawaii Welcome to Litsy! 🎉📚👍😀 8y
3 likes2 comments
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Joriebooks
Library: An Unquiet History | Matthew Battles
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Buzzfeed quiz: How book-obsessed are you?
I'm 92%, all about those books, books, books.
📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚

73 likes1 stack add
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mischa
Library: An Unquiet History | Matthew Battles
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#riotgrams #mylocallibrary Despite living 5 minutes walk from my local library, I've not had the chance to take any photos myself, so here are some from google.

The bottom photo is the entry into the kids section. I once saw a kid walk through the smaller arch and the floor lit up beneath them.

I love this place.

28 likes2 comments
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shawnab
Library: An Unquiet History | Matthew Battles
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"When I first went to work in Harvard's Widener Library, I immediately made my first mistake: I tried to read the books."

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Tammygrrrl
Library: An Unquiet History | Matthew Battles
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You know how our kids' schools are always asking for volunteers? I volunteered for the library so I wouldn't have to talk to anyone. I LOVE IT. Organizing all the shelves is the best therapy, I always feel energized afterwards. It is far from quiet though:) I still highly recommend it.

syasutake I do the same thing at my daughters' school. I find it meditative and relaxing. 8y
24 likes1 comment
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Caryl
Library: An Unquiet History | Matthew Battles
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Current MLIS reading.

Zelma Cool cover! 8y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa @Zelma I have to second that! Very cool! 8y
42 likes5 stack adds2 comments
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PurpleyPumpkin
Library: An Unquiet History | Matthew Battles
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This is the college library I work at part-time. It was quiet on the weekend. 😊 #somethingforsept #septphotochallenge #librarylove #day12

RealLifeReading That's a great looking library! 8y
MrBook An empty library is a treasure trove that doesn't require sharing. 😎👍🏻 8y
MrBook Which library is this one? 8y
PurpleyPumpkin @MrBook You are so right! This is one of the libraries at Centennial College in Toronto. 8y
59 likes4 comments
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Sara_Planz
Library: An Unquiet History | Matthew Battles
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I was so nervous but it passed unanimously!!!! Our HOA is going to fund a Little Free Library in our neighborhood! Books! Books! Books! #littlefreelibrary

sprainedbrain Hooray for Little Free Libraries! 8y
TheNextBook Yes!!!! I'm hoping my HOA will let me! Thats freaking awesome. Congrats 8y
ValerieAndBooks Yay! I look forward to your stories about setting it up and then how it does! 8y
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LauraBeth Nice job! 🎉🎉📚🍾🍾📚 8y
BekahB Congrats! That's going to be so much fun! 8y
Merethebookgal Great job and congrats!! 🎉🎉 8y
Blair_Reads Yay!!!! 8y
Eyelit Congrats - that's fantastic!! 8y
Gezemice Congrats! 8y
AmandaL Yay! 8y
Dolly Wonderful! 8y
Suzze Fabulous!!!! 8y
Nking5025 Awesome! 8y
SusanInTiburon That's Democracy to me! 8y
Bookzombie So cool! 8y
Donna_sBookMinute Congrats! I saw your earlier post. 8y
Litlady Great news! Woot woot!! 👏✌️📚 8y
QuoteQueen 😄🎉 8y
100 likes4 stack adds18 comments
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Sara_Planz
Library: An Unquiet History | Matthew Battles
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Putting the final touches on a proposal to build a Little Free Library in our community. Our HOA meets tonight and I'm hoping they will approve one for me to put up by our community pool. Fingers crossed!!!

Eyelit That's awesome. Good luck! 8y
Pickingclover Good luck!! 8y
Suzze Good luck! 8y
See All 27 Comments
TheNextBook I'm about to do the same thing next month! I hope your HOA approves! 8y
Elizasam If all goes according to plan, mine goes up this weekend! Good luck! 8y
Well-ReadNeck 🍀🍀🍀🍀 8y
Merethebookgal Awesome, good luck! 8y
Varshitha All the best!! It's a great idea.. 8y
rubyslippersreads Good luck to both of you--I haven't yet gotten brave enough to approach my HOA about an LFL. 🙂 8y
Mamashep Good luck! 8y
Yournewfriendsams Yeah! Good luck, we have a lot of these in PDX and they're so cute! Love when a community can work together to share and spread the joy of reading!!! 8y
BookishBlonde12 Good luck! I'll keep my fingers crossed that it gets passed. All neighborhoods should have little free libraries. 🤗 8y
SharonGoforth Awesome! Good luck 😊 8y
BekahB Good luck! I question those who would say no to a little free library 😀 8y
LiteraryinPA Good luck! 8y
ErickaS_Flyleafunfurled Excellent!! Maybe I should do this? 🤔 8y
MrBook Why wouldn't they? They'd better! 8y
MrBook @BookBabe , maybe we should think about this by the pool in our HOA? 8y
Soubhiville Good luck! I've always wanted to have one! 8y
Megabooks Best of luck! I hope you can do it. 😃 8y
BookBabe @MrBook maybe. Do you think they read? Everyone who lives in our area seems to favor drinking and fishing as a pastime. 8y
Sara_Planz @MrBook I would hope so I can't imagine five people being against reading. And we are looking at putting ours by our pool too. It's right across from our elementary school so we have even more traffic from that. 8y
MrBook All the best on your endeavor, Sara! This is true, @BookBabe 😂👍🏻. 8y
Christine Best of luck! 8y
[DELETED] 3558467437 I love those! So fun to stumble upon. We finally got one in my little town. 👍🏻 8y
Sara_Planz It passed unanimously! I was so nervous but I had every member on board and excited about this!!!!! 8y
Tav Congrats @Sara_Planz !! Good work!! 8y
108 likes2 stack adds27 comments
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thismonograph
Library: An Unquiet History | Matthew Battles
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my nightly bathtime read of late. dense but entertaining.