They were carried about the person, so that probably thousands of them were thrown into the flames by St.Paul's hearers when his glowing words convinced them of their superstition.
Imagine an open space near the grand Temple of Diana, with fine buildings around.

Slightly raised above the crowd, the Apostle, preaching with great power and persuasion concerning superstition, holds in thrall the assembled multitude.

On the outskirts of the crowd are numerous bonfires, upon which Jew and Gentile are throwing into the flames bundle upon bundle of scrolls, while an Asiarch with his peace-officers looks on with the conventional stolidity of policemen in all ages and all nations.

It must have been an impressive scene, and many a worse subject has been chosen for the walls of the Royal Academy.
Books in those early times, whether orthodox or heterodox, appear to have had a precarious existence.

The heathens at each fresh outbreak of persecution burnt all the Christian writings they could find, and the Christians, when they got the upper hand, retaliated with interest upon the pagan literature.