Spine shelving

Prior to the invention of the printing press, books were sparse and early libraries did not require formal shelving techniques; books were usually stored on sloped shelves for display or stacked horizontally with their spines facing into the shelf.^[2][3] The Chained Library was created in the late Middle Ages as a way to provide broad access to books.^[4] Available books were chained to shelves as security measures, and faced fore-edge out so the chain could be attached without causing damage.^[4][3] Libraries would often provide a list of books at the end of the row or shelf marks on the fore-edge of the book.^[2][4] Some libraries and private collections added handwritten titles or fore-edge paintings on the base related to the topic to identify the book.^[5][4] Early book spines did not contain wording or information, as they were not seen when books were shelved.^[2]

Production of more books in the 16th century required better storage to fit more on shelves.^[6] A change from horizontal to vertical shelving became commonplace in the early 17th century.^[2] As collections grew, it became difficult to retrieve books of interest under heavy horizontal stacks, and chains became entangled; vertical storage allowed for easy retrieval.^[5] Spine shelving started on lower shelves where books were placed spine out to protect them from potential damage by foot traffic.^[2]

The beginnings of adding information on spines date back to the early 1500s. Later, in the mid-16th century, it became fashionable for collectors to display books decoratively with many rebinding books in similar material shelving spine out to display the craftsmanship.^[2] Marking book design with information became necessary to distinguish bound materials, and a way for booksellers to promote their publications.^[2][6]

• Chained library
• Book design
• Bookbinding