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Library World Records, 2d ed.
What are the titles of the largest and smallest books in the world? Which is the library with the largest budget? When were the first 10 university libraries in Asia founded? Where can one find the oldest surviving library building in the world? What are the names of the first three books to contain photographs? Where is the tallest bookstore and library building in the world? What are the names of the largest art libraries, history databases, engineering libraries, and geography databases? This updated and expanded edition provides answers to hundreds of new questions about libraries, periodicals, books, and reference databases. The book has more than 380 entries organized by national libraries; public and subscription libraries; university and academic libraries; specialty libraries and archives; books, periodicals, and bookstores; catalogs, databases, and technology; information science organizations; and library buildings.
343 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2004
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
June 3, 2023
As a trained librarian, this is a great read, even though it is now slightly out of date. My favourite facts and records are:
1. In 1990, the FBI charged Stephen Blumberg with the theft of over 23,000 books from 140 university libraries in the U.S. When the FBI raided his home, they were shocked to find that the haul of stolen books had filled 14
rooms, resembling a large legitimate private library, and was worth $US 20 million dollars.
2. The heaviest and biggest edition of a newspaper was the Sunday, September 13, 1987, issue of the New York Times. It had 1,612 pages and weighed 4.9kg.
3. The use of chains in libraries to prevent theft of booka began at the Sorbonne Library at University of Paris, France, in the early 13th century.
4. The English language book with the largest number of pages was the 1988 edition of Victor Hugo’s Les Misérables, which has over 1,400 pages.
5. At the height of the Cold War, the FBI under its Library Awareness Program tried to recruit public librarians in the U.S. as freelance agents to help in identifying “suspicious” use of library materials in U.S. public libraries. But after a few months of fierce opposition from the American Library Association, the FBI abandoned the idea.
6. During the Second World War the original copies of the 18th century Constitution and the Declaration of Independence (engrossed upon parchment), were taken from the Library of Congress in Washington D.C. to Fort Knox (ordinarily used for storing U.S. gold bullion) in Kentucky for safekeeping.
As well as the information and facts, the book is profusely illustrated with examples of library buildings.
1. In 1990, the FBI charged Stephen Blumberg with the theft of over 23,000 books from 140 university libraries in the U.S. When the FBI raided his home, they were shocked to find that the haul of stolen books had filled 14
rooms, resembling a large legitimate private library, and was worth $US 20 million dollars.
2. The heaviest and biggest edition of a newspaper was the Sunday, September 13, 1987, issue of the New York Times. It had 1,612 pages and weighed 4.9kg.
3. The use of chains in libraries to prevent theft of booka began at the Sorbonne Library at University of Paris, France, in the early 13th century.
4. The English language book with the largest number of pages was the 1988 edition of Victor Hugo’s Les Misérables, which has over 1,400 pages.
5. At the height of the Cold War, the FBI under its Library Awareness Program tried to recruit public librarians in the U.S. as freelance agents to help in identifying “suspicious” use of library materials in U.S. public libraries. But after a few months of fierce opposition from the American Library Association, the FBI abandoned the idea.
6. During the Second World War the original copies of the 18th century Constitution and the Declaration of Independence (engrossed upon parchment), were taken from the Library of Congress in Washington D.C. to Fort Knox (ordinarily used for storing U.S. gold bullion) in Kentucky for safekeeping.
As well as the information and facts, the book is profusely illustrated with examples of library buildings.
December 16, 2009
A great book for bibliophiles and bookworms. Filled with fun and interesting facts about libraries, librarians and the book world.
May 27, 2010
What a typically British way of looking at the world, still it is an enjoyable read.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews