Endangered Knowledge: Why Libraries Matter More Than Ever

Richard Ovenden OBE, Bodley’s Librarian at the University of Oxford, joined Associate Professor Sophie Gee at the University of Sydney for Endangered Knowledge: Why Libraries Matter More Than Ever. Drawing on his book Burning the Books: A History of Knowledge Under Attack, Ovenden explored the long history of knowledge destruction—from ancient libraries to modern digital fragility—and why safeguarding information remains one of the most urgent challenges of our time. This event was presented by the University of Sydney Library on 28 August, 2025, with the support of the Andersen Family Bequest.