https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legal_deposit https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legal_deposit Not all books in the state libraries are equal. Historical copies and p

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legal_deposit https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legal_deposit Not all books in the state libraries are equal. Historical copies and popular authors (popular among researchers, a much bigger set already) are exhibited and get attention, John Doe's book of family recipes gets sent to some giant dark warehouse people rarely visit. It is easy to forget that it is an 18th century solution born from 18th century approach to knowledge. Back then, bibliographies of everything printed in certain year in certain country could be compiled, and they were supposed to be more than just lists, to help other men of books keep up with Progress.