New Knowledge from Old

The meaning of the library as a social institution has changed over time. library’s role in human progress and generation knowledge is alluded to briefly by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and, more frequently, Shoghi Effendi. These references have historical precedents but are an expression unique ontological epistemological commitments Bahá’u’lláh’s vision emerging global civilization. This paper compares conceptions libraries writings Effendi different meanings assigned throughout history, comments on Bahá’í beliefs that could inform practice librarianship, suggests number avenues for future research.