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Architectural and art historian James Campbell travelled to 21 countries with photographer Will Pryce to document 82 great library buildings. Campbell tells the story of the library from the invention of writing in ancient Mesopotamia to modern China, where libraries are still being constructed today. The selection of libraries, each illustrated by Pryce’s images, shows how the acquisition of books led collectors and the wealthy and powerful to commission magnificent buildings that would showcase their learning and culture. Campbell says it is evident that libraries must change but he argues they have always developed and will continue to do so to meet the different needs of today.

Campbell is fellow in architecture and history of art, Queens’ College, Cambridge, and also author with Pryce of Building St Paul’s and Brick: A World History.