The first libraries in Brazil belonged to religious orders, such as the Companhia de Jesus (Company of Jesus/Society of Jesus). Little is known about them except for the jesuitic libraries which are the best known of them, due to the work História da Companhia de Jesus no Brasil by Serafim Leite. The present article aims to review and collect the information contained in that work, and thus offer an overview of the theme.
Colonial period; Libraries; History; Jesuits