People can sometimes fall into the mistake of thinking that the concept of a library is an outdated institution. In an age where we’re all essentially carrying around our own personal library in our pockets, is there much of a need for libraries in society? The answer is a resounding yes. More people visit libraries than visit the cinema, and far from being just a place where people can check out books, libraries are performing any number of essential roles. If you thought libraries were a thing of the past, just think about this: there are more of them in the United States than there are McDonald’s.
They help people come together, help with resumes and health concerns, and perform access to information that may otherwise be unavailable. But actually, this should come as no surprise — libraries have been playing integral roles in society for thousands of years. Indeed, the oldest library in the world (that we know of) dates all the way back to the 7th century BC. Alas, it’s no longer with us: it was archaeologists that found it, buried under the earth. But the bulk of the history’s most famous libraries are still with us, and can, indeed, still be visited. They function as monuments to the power of humanity, and it goes without saying that the world would be a poorer place without them,
To learn about the most famous libraries in the world, take a look at the infographic below, which was produced by USC.
Infographic Design By USC USC