The Evolution of the College Library

Books were once so scarce, they were chained to the desks. Now libraries can barely hold all the volumes they have.

By James W. P. Campbell & Will Pryce

The Atlantic - Dec 4 2013

University of Cambridge academic James W. P. Campbell and Will Pryce, the award winning architectural photographer, have spent the last three years visiting 84 libraries in 21 countries, compiling a history of library design from the ancient world to the present day. The Library: A World History covers the development of university libraries across the world, as well as public and private libraries. Here we provide a selection of key moments in the history of the development of academic libraries.
While we speak of libraries everywhere being under threat, university libraries are coping with ever greater quantities of printed material created by the digital age. Architecturally they are changing, too.

To read more: http://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2013/12/the-evolution-of-the-college-library/282023/