Franklin Public Library (Massachusetts)

Franklin Public Library is the first and oldest public lending library in continuous existence in the United States. It was founded in 1790 in Franklin, Massachusetts with a donation of books from Benjamin Franklin.[1][2] It is currently located at 118 Main Street in Franklin,[1][3] at the edge of the downtown Franklin area, right next to Dean College.

Franklin Public Library
LocationFranklin, Massachusetts, United States of America
TypePublic Library
Established1790
Branches1
Access and use
Population served33,092 (2020 census)
Other information
Budget$836,477
DirectorFelicia Oti
Websitewww.franklinma.gov/franklin-public-library

A town in Massachusetts chose to name itself Franklin after Benjamin Franklin, and Franklin donated 116 books to the town in lieu of a requested church bell.[1][2][4] Franklin's town meeting voted to lend the books to all Franklin inhabitants free of charge in 1790, and this small collection can therefore be considered the first public library in the United States.[1][2] In 1904, the Ray family donated the current Ray Memorial Building which was dedicated as the first permanent building for the library collection. The Franklin Library Association was in charge of the library until 1981 when town of Franklin began running the Franklin Public Library directly as a department of the town.[1]

  • Rear view of the Franklin Public Library with contemporary addition
    Rear view of the Franklin Public Library with contemporary addition
  • Benjamin Franklin statue at Franklin Public Library
    Benjamin Franklin statue at Franklin Public Library

References
  1. "Library History". franklinma.gov. Town of Franklin. Archived from the original on 2018-10-21.
  2. Dawson, Robert (2014-05-27). The Public Library: A Photographic Essay. Chronicle Books. ISBN 9781616893279. In 1790 the citizens voted to lend the books to all Franklin inhabitants free of charge. The vote established the Franklin collection as one of the first public libraries in the United States.
  3. A History of America's First Public Library at Franklin, MA Bicentennial Commemorative Edition (1990) http://www.franklinma.gov/franklin-public-library/pages/history-americas-first-public-library-franklin-ma
  4. Baughman, James C. (1986-10-15). "Sense Is Preferable to Sound" (PDF). Library Journal. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2014-09-12. Retrieved 2018-10-21.
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