The term: Library

Where does the historical term library come from?

Libraries were not called such, but rather archives with unpublished records, such as the temples of Sumer. These included clay tablets in cuneiform script, similarly with Ancient Egypt and their papyrus scripts. While the first private or personal library (consisting of fictional and non-fictional books) appeared in classical Greece during the 5th century BC. Two famous libraries include: The Boston Public Library and The New York Public Library (retrieved at:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Library ). This also reminds me of a course I took last year, the history of records and records keeping taught by Professor Craig. I have yet to take Rare books and Manuscripts.

See also:

Davies, David William. (1974).Public libraries as culture and social centers: the origin of the concept. Metuchen, N.J. : Scarecrow Press.

Dilevko, Juris. B. (2007). Readers' advisory service in North American public libraries, 1870-2005 : a history and critical analysis. Jefferson, N.C.: McFarland & Company.

Polastron, Lucien X. (2007). Books on fire: the destruction of libraries throughout history. Rochester: Inner Traditions.