Сократи текст но обязательно чтобы осталось 12 предложений The earliest forms of books were crafted from wooden tablets or pieces of bark. In ancient Greece and Rome, these tablets were coated with wax, allowing writing to be etched using a tool called a stylus. In Assyria and Babylonia, clay tablets became common, with writings drawn using wooden implements; these tablets, once baked, were stored on shelves like modern books. While not aesthetically pleasing, clay tablets were durable and some have survived to this day. Ancient texts were also written on papyrus and animal skins, which were rolled into long strips, known as "volumen" by Romans, giving rise to the term "volume." Although paper was invented in China in the first century, the art of papermaking reached Europe later. In ancient Rome, booksellers thrived, and the first public library emerged around 39 B.C., but only the wealthy could afford books or pay for copies by slaves. During the Middle Ages, all books were handwritten, often elaborately decorated, and libraries chained them to shelves to prevent theft. The invention of printing marked a significant turning point in history, with the Chinese leading the way, though Johann Gutenberg in Germany became a prominent figure in Europe. By the end of the 15th century, over 200 printing presses operated across Europe, increasing access to books. The first press in England was established by William Caxton in 1476, and Ivan Fedorov introduced printing to Russia in 1564. As literacy grew, public libraries began to flourish, leading to the establishment of national libraries around the world. Notable libraries include the British Museum Library, the Library of Congress, and the State Public Library in Moscow, with the latter being founded in 1862. Today, modern libraries utilize computers and electronic catalogues to facilitate information access, while maintaining their collections presents ongoing challenges.