You Wouldn't Want to Live Without Libraries!

by Fiona Macdonald

Libraries are the keepers of the world's memory.
This series takes readers (Ages 8-12) on a historical journey, examining how people coped in the past and how they developed ingenious ways to make life safer and less unpleasant. Each book features full-color cartoon-style illustrations and hilarious speech bubbles to heighten interest, making the series attractive even to reluctant readers.

For 5,000 years and more, libraries have been gathering and preserving writings of all kinds. They're storehouses of knowledge, and imagination, and fun. Learn about how these places and their collections of written words allow us to check our facts, find important information, share stories, beliefs and ideas, build communities, make things, and learn valuable life skills.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Childrens, Picture Books

32 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2018

About the author

Fiona Macdonald studied history at Cambridge University and at the University of East Anglia. She has taught in schools, adult education and university, and is the author of numerous books for children on historical topics.

Reviews

[Kelly Veatch · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love to read books about books and libraries. Lots of fun facts in this one!

[Cindy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Glaringingly absent any mention of Hebrew scrolls, the role of monks & the first book printed on the Gutenberg press

[Shreedevi Gurumurty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Picked this beauty up from my local library, I absolutely cannot live without libraries, and wouldn't want to imagine a world without them-pun intended.For 5,000 years and more, libraries have been gathering and preserving writings of all kinds. They’re keepers of the world’s memory. They’re storehouses of knowledge, and imagination, and fun. Learn about how these places and their collections of written words allow us to check our facts, find important information, share stories, beliefs and ideas, build communities and learn valuable life skills. When I rediscovered my love for books in 2019, libraries became my sanctuary in a way. They literally and metaphorically opened doors into another world. They offer free educational resources to everyone,they help boost local economies, they preserve history,and more importantly, the truth. They help connect and develop communities. Libraries are portals to all of the world's knowledge. And librarians make sure that knowledge continues to be recorded and saved for the future,even as information-storage devices and formats change. The world's smartest and richest people such as Andrew Carnegie, donated millions of dollars to help fund libraries. People of different socioeconomic status and racial and ethnic groups, have fought so hard for reading, information, education, employment, and libraries to be accessed by everyone, instead of just the rich and the privileged as it first started out. Libraries are spaces where people of all ages can practice lifelong learning, because the nature of work has changed, and your education doesn't end on graduation day. Libraries are also a great example of the sharing economy, where people share resources. These systems take a variety of forms,often leveraging information technology to empower individuals, corporations,non-profits and government with information that enables distribution, sharing and reuse of excess capacity in goods and services.Libraries serve a vital social service by helping bridge the gap between the haves and have-nots.

[Kris Dersch · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like this little introduction to libraries...it's complete and up to date and even gives kids projects related to librarianship, like creating their own little archive.

[Abraham Ray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great children’s book about the history & usage of the library around the world!

[Keilah Villa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm currently working on my degree in library science. It's books like this that remind me why this field of work is important. Engaging and informative book for children (and adults!).

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Informative and a delight to read. The title says it all.

[Cristine Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very informative and interesting book about the founding of libraries from ancient to current times. They are a store house of knowledge

[Karthika · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome book

[Judith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Recounts the history and many facts about libraries in picture book format with lots of text. Excellent for use for a report for grades 2 or 3 through grade 4 or 5.

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Out of all my favorite things, two are books and libraries. And now there is a book about libraries. In the great You Wouldn't Want series this book is about how important libraries are. As always there is so much information about how libraries came to be and how far they have come. Did you know that some libraries let you borrow clothes and sports equipment. I've never seen that but I know that some used to let you borrow art work.

Out of all the books I've read from this series this book is my favorite. And as always the illustrations are top notch and so much fun.

[Nancy Aycock · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice book about libraries with history and information along with some facts. Love that they said librarians are supermen and superwomen and listed the multitudes of different things they do. The illustrations helped support the text nicely.