Library World Records (2nd ed.)

Citation

Lee Eden, B. (2009), "Library World Records (2nd ed.)", Collection Building, Vol. 28 No. 4, pp. 170-171. https://doi.org/10.1108/01604950910999837

In its second edition, this reference work contains everything anyone would want to know about world records related to libraries, reference databases, books and periodicals. There are over 380 entries organized into nine major areas: world records for national libraries; world records for public and subscription libraries; world records for university and academic libraries; world records for specialty libraries and archives; miscellaneous world records for libraries; world records for books, periodicals and bookstores; world records for library buildings; world records for library catalogues, databases and technology; and world records for library and information science organizations.

Each separate entry is given a number to assist the user in accessing the table of contents and the index. A brief description of the item under consideration is provided, and additional information is given in italics. There are numerous black‐and‐white photographs throughout, showing library buildings, places and objects within collections.

The amount of information gathered here is astounding. In the first section (world records for national libraries), are the 15 oldest national libraries; oldest national libraries in Africa, in the Americas, in Asia and in the Middle East; the five largest national libraries in Africa and the Middle East, ten largest in Asia and in Europe, and five largest in Latin America. In the section on world records for library catalogues, databases and technology are listed topics such as largest computer database, first library OPAC in Australia (and other countries), oldest electronic newspaper coverage, largest database on businesses in Africa (and other countries), largest chemistry database (and other subject areas), largest genealogical database, 12 greatest inventions used in libraries today, and first commercial information brokerage. Under world records for books, periodicals and bookstores are listed the earliest written works in every major language, oldest existing papyrus and vellum manuscripts, first books printed in every major language, oldest book museum, and a list of first book to use page numbers/illustrations/color/photographs. Perhaps the most interesting section is that on miscellaneous world records for libraries, with first outer space library, earliest libraries, library with most branches worldwide, largest chained libraries, some notable people who have worked in libraries or as librarians, and eight unusual things that happened in libraries, to name just a few.

Librarians and researchers alike will enjoy browsing through this book, locating unique and unusual information related to libraries, their contents, their services and their staff. And just to provide a little humor, item 209 lists the most overdue library book as one borrowed by Robert Walpole in 1667 from Cambridge University, returned by a direct descendant of Walpole in 1956, 289 years later. No fine was charged.