BIBLICAL LIBRARIES
for a postal street letter box) and various words for book pouch or book bag (surviving in the lawyers Green bag) book jar and the like also, like house and chest, refer to the place or receptacle in which the books are kept.
Another common Greek term "Bibliophylakion" points probably to the keeper (Phylax, keeper or guardian). In derivation and use it might perhaps refer only to the protection of the walls or boxes against thieves, moth, or rust, but the "Nomophylax" historically preceded the "Nomophylakion" the—keeper was before the "keep." This "phylactery of books" or "book-ward" or "book-keep," in any event, has a reminiscence in a term which is still used in the British Museum, e.g., for librarian, the "Keeper of books."
The collection of official records came also to be known as "archive" because it was naturally kept in the archeion or administration building of the government,
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