Researching Libraries, BTS GLAM 210 Subject Guide Example (2025)

This book by Cambridge architectural historian James Campbell was published by Thames & Hudson, publishers who focus on art and architecture. Full of illustrations and photographs, it covers libraries from the ancient world up to the 20th century and from early middle eastern libraries in Mesopotamia to brand new library architecture in China. As the authors describe the changes in library architecture, they also present the reader with the corresponding history of changes in their contents: from papyri to manuscripts to books.

This 1994 encyclopedia from Routledge, a British academic publisher, has an international focus: the introduction describes the audience as “the global library community.” Articles are arranged alphabetically; they range from 200-6,000 words and include a bibliography of sources for further study. The introduction notes that while there are no biographical articles in the encyclopedia, it does contain articles on libraries of significance (predominantly national libraries). Articles were written by invited scholars of library history; both editors have taught library history and related subjects in information science programs. Wayne Wiegand is also the author of several books on U.S. Library History.