"People of all ages and backgrounds can discover how to contribute to real scientific research with this handy guide. It defines citizen science, providing an overview of the social and community aspects behind the idea. The book is organized by topic and features links to library resources and descriptions of books appropriate to the subject. In addition, a section devoted to ongoing citizen-science programs includes detailed descriptions for parents and children to identify projects appropriate to their interests, abilities, commitment levels, and locations. Accessible for the whole family, this invaluable resource provides the tools for building strong families as well as improving the global community"--

Famed across the known world, jealously guarded by private collectors, built up over centuries, destroyed in a single day, ornamented with gold leaf and frescoes or filled with bean bags and children's drawings - the history of the library is rich, varied and stuffed full of incident.0In this, the first major history of its kind, Andrew Pettegree and Arthur der Weduwen explore the contested and dramatic history of the library, from the famous collections of the ancient world to the embattled public resources we cherish today. Along the way, they introduce us to the antiquarians and philanthropists who shaped the world's great collections, trace the rise and fall of fashions and tastes, and reveal the high crimes and misdemeanours committed in pursuit of rare and valuable manuscripts.