FROM ANCIENT ARCHIVES TO MODERN LIBRARIES: A JOURNEY THROUGH LIBRARY MANAGEMENT PRACTICES
This article traces the evolution of library management practices from ancient archives to modern libraries, highlighting key milestones and shifts in methodologies. It explores how libraries have adapted to societal changes, technological advancements, and the ever-expanding body of knowledge. Beginning with ancient archives, where scribes meticulously cataloged clay tablets, scrolls, and manuscripts, the journey progresses through medieval scriptoria, Renaissance libraries, and the dawn of public libraries in the Enlightenment era. The advent of printing presses revolutionized access to information, paving the way for standardized cataloging systems and classification schemes. With the digital revolution, libraries faced new challenges and opportunities, embracing automation, digitization, and online databases. Today, libraries serve as dynamic hubs of knowledge, employing sophisticated management systems to curate, organize, and disseminate information in diverse formats. By examining historical precedents and contemporary practices, this article illuminates the enduring mission of libraries to preserve cultural heritage, facilitate learning, and foster intellectual inquiry.