A scriptorium (from the Latin words for "write" and "writing" + "chamber" or "room"), is a room set apart from ancient times to the present day for writing, especially one in a castle, palace, library, synagogue, school, university, or monastery where manuscripts were copied by hand. All ancient biblical manuscripts before the invention of printing were produced in scriptoriums.
The preservation of the Bible in Europe during the early and late Middle Ages was largely due to the dedicated labors of Irish monks. See Book of Kells.