Books on the Chain

In 1604, Rotterdam opened its first public library in a niche of the Laurenskerk. To prevent theft of the valuable books, they were literally chained. A metal ring connected each book to a rod on the bookcase, allowing visitors to read the books on-site but not take them home.

This 'chained library' was intended for scholars, as most books were written in Latin. The initiative reflected the rise of public knowledge sharing in the 17th century, a time when literacy and science were becoming increasingly important.

Today, chained books can still be admired in collections like that of the Rotterdam Library, although the chains are no longer attached. An authentic chained library can still be visited in the Librije of the Walburgiskerk in Zutphen. These remarkable objects remain visible as tangible reminders of the earliest forms of public access to knowledge.