Library and Librarian in the Encyclopedia of D. Diderot and J. d’Alembert

Abstract

The article discusses peculiarities of perception of library and librarian in France during the age of Enlightenment using the example of Encyclopedia of D. Diderot and J. d’Alembert. The author notes that this article considers the period of the 18th century before the French revolution and only on the territory of France. The author notes that the idea of continuity in obtaining and possessing the knowledge was built by enlighteners using the examples of public libraries in ancient times. The article focuses attention on the difference between the concepts of librairie/ bibliothèque and their transformation during the early Modern period. The author analyzes the main features and peculiarities of the librarian profession that were highlighted by French enlighteners, and their difference from the modern concept. The article emphasizes the question of the prestige of this profession in the 18th century. The author concludes that the understanding of the profession of librarian in the age of Enlightenment differs from the modern one. The study of the role of librarian in the 18th century allows to explore the features of the library in the Enlightenment, whose tasks included collection and transfer of knowledge.