Behind
the Stacks
News from the Reference Library
by Zoe
Greetings from the Reference Library! When one thinks of harvest, one immediately thinks of food and agriculture. If you're interested in food, you'll find plenty to chew on in Pan's Library!
Learn about food and farming in ancient Egypt, or try out Archestratus' recipe for fish in fig leaves. Find out what Native Americans ate, or explore the cooking of the African Maghreb.
Take some tea with the English or share a haggis with a Scotsman. Read about food in Elizabethan England or learn about food controls in America during WWI. Take a bite of hardtack while you look through the rest of the soldiers rations during the American Civil War
If you're really sharp, you may even be able to capture a Felonius Melon!
The Ambrosian Library
The Ambrosian Library was one of the earliest public libraries in Europe. It was founded in Milan, Italy, in the early 1600s by Cardinal Federico Borromeo. It was not only a collection of books and manuscripts, but was meant to be a teaching facility for writers, a seminary for the clergy, and an art school. It was open to anyone who wanted to use the facilities, something quite rare in the 15th century. Another deviation from the norm was that the books were arranged on high shelves around the walls, rather than being chained to desks throughout the room. There were strict penalties for stealing a book, and even for touching one with dirty hands. Such a miscreant could only be absolved by the Pope!
The library's design remains totally unaltered today. The collections include many rare classical manuscripts and early Oriental texts, including a copy of Leonardo da Vinci's Codex Atlanticus.
Now you know.
Featured Section
The
Ancient Celts had a fascinating culture and contributed much to our own.
You can explore their world in our Reference Library.
Explore the rich tradition of oral storytelling or admire Irish Celtic art. Read about the structure of early Irish society or meet the Picts, early inhabitants of Scotland. Learn about Brehon Law or share your knowledge of Celtic weaponry. Be sure to keep up to date on the latest archaeological discoveries.
You can find all this and more in Pan's Reference Library!
Pan's Library is Your Library!
Take some time today to explore Pan's Reference Library. Our library has many articles which may serve as background for your novel writing. If you would like to add something of your own, jump right in! Every member of Panhistoria automatically belongs to our Library, and all of you are encouraged to post.
Be sure to check by the main Reference Library page, accessed from your jump menu, each week for the spotlight, the featured post and news of current discussions. You can keep up with all the latest posts by using the Reference Library Daily Index, found on the main Daily Index page.
As always, your Librarians are here to help and encourage you. Please feel free to direct your questions or ideas to any of them. Just look for the purple icon on your IM Panel.
The Last Word
Libraries are not made; they grow.
Augustine Birrell, English author and politician (1850-1933)
