CIRCLE WITH A DOT

@owlsintowels Thank you, this is one of the best posts I've seen on the fediverse! ️‍🩹

@davidnjoku I think they would be invented anyway, but with a paywall...

Libraries as we know them in the 16th and 17th century were basically collections of books for the royal family, other wealthy, powerful people and the church. In the 18th there was a change towards public access (although that didn't mean everybody could enter, more like academics and students). Also some libraries started as paid book clubs, where you could access the collections if you paid a fee. True open libraries, at least in Europe, weren't conceived until past the French revolution and their declaration of rights, the rise in mandatory education and the idea of the democratization of access to information. (Excuse the info dump, I'm currently studying this XD)

@Gardenia I love all the pictures but this one is amazing haha! Napping in the field with donkey friend. ️