Summary
This paper presents libraries in the Byzantine Empire. It considers Byzantine culture and education as the basis for development of libraries. Concern for the education of different social strata and the existence of schools in the Byzantine Empire indicate that in that context libraries had also existed. Lessons involve reading materials, study of ancient authors, use of textbooks and dictionaries, which points to the existence of places for storing books. The Byzantines have inherited from the Alexandrians concern for preservation of ancient literature which they completely accepted, as well as care for copying transcripts and their storage in libraries. Considering parallel existence of secular and theological education, the libraries were divided into secular (imperial, public and private) and the monastery ones. The imperial libraries were being established by the Byzantine emperors in the capital of the Empire. Public research libraries have existed at universities and scientific institutions in the capital and in provinces. Many wealthy and educated Byzantine citizens who lived in the cultural centers of the Empire have had their own private libraries. Monastery libraries were located in numerous monasteries scattered throughout the Byzantine Empire.

Keywords:
Byzantine libraries, imperial, public, school, higher education, private, monastery

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