Unpacking the Personal Library

What does it mean, philosophically, culturally, and historically, to own books and collect them? What is a library? What is political, cultural and institutional significance of the library as an object of research and study? Incorporating research into the history of the book, reading, authorship and publishing, the chapters in this collection explore libraries from ancient times to the present, the libraries of well-known authors and public figures, as well as a range of public collections. includes chapters on personal libraries of: Virginia Woolf, Al Purdy, Sheila Watson, William Lyon Mackenzie King / chapter on the Great Library of Alexandria / chapter on the small press bookstore as library and archive