Early Books and Libraries.

The article presents an overview of the history of books and libraries in world history, ranging from the early collections of the Roman, Chinese, and Indian civilizations, through the monastic libraries during the medieval period in Europe, up to the monastic purges of the English King Henry VIII. An overview of book printing processes from the ancient to modern era is given. Several specific historical libraries are also profiled such as the library of Alexandria, Egypt; the monasteries of Canterbury, England; and the literary collections of Constantinople in the Byzantine Empire.