Traité de l'administration des bibliothèques publiques

This thorough guide walks listeners through the evolution and daily workings of France’s public libraries in the nineteenth century. Beginning with a concise history that traces roots back to the royal collection before the Revolution, it shows how seized books became the foundation of departmental libraries we know today. The author then maps the varied types of institutions—from national and scientific libraries to prefectural, military, maritime and even prison collections—highlighting the unique purposes each serves.

Beyond history, the work offers a practical toolkit for librarians, drawing on official instructions, ministerial circulars and detailed classification systems such as Brunet and the Carnavalet model. Readers will find clear explanations of cataloguing, numbering, stamp‑affixing, and the administrative procedures that keep a library running smoothly. By organizing the material in a reference‑friendly layout, the treatise becomes a handy companion for anyone managing or studying public library administration.