Lost Libraries: A Lesson for the Notion of World Literature

Jean MacDonald

Illinois State University

Page 004-015

Abstract: Literature, with its diverse and broad spectrum of platform, medium, and delivery, has long been an indicator of a civilization’s culture. How the literature of various cultures was either preserved, lost, or shared has shaped the modern conception of World Literature. Libraries have been central to the collection, preservation, and access to literature throughout time, and their dependence on political and/or religious leadership has shaped the notion of “world literature” in fundamental ways. To increase awareness of marginalized literature and to broaden the understanding of World Literature is to seek out and share the lessons learned by librarians who all too frequently lost their libraries.

Keywords: library history, destruction of books, cultural memories and libraries

DOI: 10.53397/hunnu.jflc.202302001

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