Private library

A private library is a library that is only for the use of a small amount of people or one person. As with public libraries, some people use stamps, stickers or embossers to show ownership of the items. Some people have sold or willed their private libraries to established institutions such as the Library of Congress.

Related Topics:
Will - Library of Congress

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Many private libraries are specialized and exist for use by employees in a certain business, such as a law firm, hospital or research laboratory. Some private libraries, besides collecting books, manuscripts, sheet music, etc., also collect the same in digital format. Others may include non-traditional library materials such as artwork, artifacts and preserved plant and animal specimens.

Related Topics:
Book - Manuscript - Sheet music - Artifact

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The first libraries were all private, usually restricted to nobility, aristocracy, scholars or theologians. Most of the surviving texts of the ancient world come from private libraries as public libraries were subject to destruction during war.

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