Hoping to find some good reading for the winter break?
Check out the links below:
If you’d like to inspire a youngster in your family with library history, check out this delightful series of essays about children’s picture books by M. E. Bonds. She highlights books like The Book Boat’s In by Cynthia Cotten, which tells kids the story of floating libraries on the Erie Canal in the early 1800s, and The StoryTeller’s Candle by Lushcia M. Gonzales, which features New York Public Library’s first Puerto Rican librarian, Pura Belpre. I had no idea there were so many children’s books about the history of libraries!
If you’re looking for a last minute gift idea for a fellow library historian, you might wrap up some of these fantastic photo books that have come out in the last few years:
- The Library: A World History by Dr. James Campbell offers breathtaking photos of many of the world’s historic libraries–this teaser from the Daily Mail showcases a sample.
- Another excellent stocking stuffer is The Most Beautiful Libraries in the World by Jacques Bosser (Author), James H. Billington (Contributor), and Guillaume de Laubier (Photographer). “The accompanying text by journalist and translator Jacques Bosser traces the history of libraries from the Renaissance to the present day…” (publisher description).
- Any library historian would be happy to find The Card Catalog: Books, Cards, and Literary Treasures by the Library of Congress under the tree on Christmas morning. “Featuring more than 200 full-color images of original catalog cards, first edition book covers, and photographs from the library’s magnificent archives, this collection is a visual celebration of the rarely seen treasures in one of the world’s most famous libraries and the brilliant catalog system…” (publisher description).
Do you know of other great illustrated books about library history? Please send them on and I’ll list them as well.
Best Wishes for the Holidays!
Brett
Editor, LHRT New and Notes
Bonus Photo: What Books Will Be on Your Christmas Tree?