bibliothecology

English

Etymology

From Ancient Greek βῐβλῐοθήκη (bibliothḗkē) +‎ -ology.

Noun

bibliothecology (uncountable)

1. (rare) The study of libraries.
   • 1893 November, E. C. Richardson, “Summaries of Papers Read Before Scientific Societies. Library Science and Other Sciences.”, in The Princeton College Bulletin: A Quarterly Record Edited by the President and Members of the Faculty, volume V, number 4, Princeton, N.J.: […] the Princeton Press, page 86:

     The book sciences (Bibliology) may be divided into: 1. Bibliography, or book description; 2. Bibliopoesy, or making of books; 3. Bibliopoly, or distribution of books; 4. Bibliochresis, or the theory of book use; 5. Bibliothecology, or the gathering of books into libraries and their public use. Library science, or Bibliothecology, is the climax of the book sciences. The book sciences, in turn, are among the anthropological sciences, and their place may be indicated as follows: I. Theology. II. Anthropology. 1. “Metaphysical sciences” (?) (1) Philosophical sciences. (2) Literary sciences. A. Language and literature. B. Bibliology. a. Bibliography b. Bibliopoesy. c. Bibliopoly. d. Bibliochresis. e. Bibliothecology.

   • 1913 August 10, The Librarian, “Library Notes”, in The Charlotte News, volume 4, number 27, Charlotte, N.C., section “Literary Needs of Australian Sailors”, page 6:

     Ere long we shall expect to see our library schools offering special courses in marine bibliothecology, or library science for seafarers.—Chicago Dial.

   • 1951 June, “On Bibliothecology. No. 1.—Duties of a Librarian.”, in Norton’s Literary Advertiser, volume I, number II, New York, N.Y.: Charles B. Norton, page 6:

     It might perhaps be profitable, therefore, to give some hints on Bibliothecology, or the Library Science, principally for such persons as are intrusted with the management of collections of Books, without having previously attended to the special study of this eminent and noble calling.

   • 1952, Development of Public Libraries in Latin America, […] A. W. Sijthoff’s Publishing Cy., Leyden. […] Unesco, Paris, page 26:

     The installation of model public libraries, to serve as pilot projects, the establishment of a Latin American institute of bibliothecology and bibliography as a centre for a higher studies and research, the organization of national commissions for the development of libraries, the signing of agreements with governments and international organizations for the development of public libraries and the undertaking of surveys of the situation of libraries in each country should be the subject of resolutions adopted by this conference.

   • 1971, The Ten-Year Development Programme, 1971–1980, page 32:

     Systematic training of personnel should facilitate provision of a suitable organisational pattern for the study of bibliothecology.

   • 2021, Patrick Lo, Bradley Allard, quoting Anabel Negrín, “Supporting the Needs of Children through Arts and Culture: An Interview with Anabel Negrín (Librarian of El Parnaso, Uruguay Services for Children and Teenagers)”, in International Journal of Education & Literacy Studies, Australian International Academic Centre, page 201:

     Bibliothecology (especially the librarian of school libraries and children’s services) does not compare to careers as teachers or university professors.