THE CLASSIFICATION OF LIBRARIES

 

See the Bodleian Library in Oxford (15th century then early 17th century) for a view of libraries as shelves in a rectangular room, arranged by subject.

 

a view of the Bodleian Library

 

The bookcase which was to become typical of English libraries was first used for Pepys (2nd half of 17th century), now in the Pepys Library at Magdalene College, Cambridge (where books were arranged by size).

The Pepys Library