The 320-page tome features libraries of all sizes from the world's largest - the Library Of Congress in Washington - to the tiny late medieval library of Trinity Hall in Cambridge.
The oldest library featured in the £48 book which has survived with its fitting intact is the Malatestiana Biblioteca in Cesena in Italy, which dates back to 1452.
'Libraries have been held in such high esteem for hundreds of years and have often had a huge amount of money spent on them for different reasons.
'For some it was a case of personal pride while for others their library was a symbol of cultural importance.
'Some libraries are a place to store books while some are sheer works of art.
'Libraries are like living rooms in cities - warm places that anyone can go to to work and to learn - they are very egalitarian.
'In contrast, the internet, the main threat to public libraries, is quite undemocratic because to access it you need a computer and a connection.
'A lot of people think books are on their way out but interestingly there are more books being printed now than ever before.
'Public libraries might be being closed in Europe but in other parts of the world like China they are being built.
'In fact, one of the first things any country wanting to establish itself does is build a national library.
'My hope is that this book will becomes the one people will reach for for information on the history of libraries for many years to come.'
The Library is published by Thames and Hudson and costs £48.
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