The Genesis of Public Libraries: Benjamin Franklin's Ingenious Idea
Many people are familiar with Benjamin Franklin as one of America's founding fathers, an influential statesman, and a leading figure in early American history. However, his contributions extend beyond these roles, particularly in the realm of education and public service. One of the most significant of these contributions was his role in the establishment of the first public library in Philadelphia, the Library Company of Philadelphia. This library, which Franklin helped to found, marked a significant milestone in the development of public access to books and knowledge.
The Challenge of Expensive Books
In the day of Benjamin Franklin, printed books were exceedingly expensive, rendering them accessible to only a privileged few. In the Colonial Pennsylvania, books were a luxury afforded primarily to the clergy and the very wealthy. For those who sought knowledge through reading, the cost and availability of books posed a formidable barrier. Consequently, many individuals had to travel hundreds of miles to access less expensive books available in other states. The arduous journey, involving travel on foot, horseback, or by wagon, made the distribution and circulation of books a significant logistical challenge.
The Formation of the Junto Club
Faced with these challenges, the members of the Junto Club, a conversational and mentoring society that Franklin was a part of, came together to find a solution. They recognized that pooling their resources could overcome the individual limitations and create a more substantial collection. According to a Robert Feke portrait of Benjamin Franklin from around 1748, which is now part of the Harvard University Portrait Collection, the idea was to create a collective library.
Franklin's innovative insight was to establish a lending library that would be not only for the members of the Junto Club but also accessible to the public. His proposal in his autobiography is telling: 'Since our books were often referred to in our disquisitions upon the queries, it might be convenient to us to have them altogether where we met, that upon occasion they might be consulted and by thus clubbing our books to a common library we should while we liked to keep them together have each of us the advantage of using the books of all the other members, which would be nearly...'
The Birth of the Library Company of Philadelphia
Franklin’s idea was not only practical but also visionary. It laid the foundation for what would become the Library Company of Philadelphia. Unlike many of today's modern libraries, this early library was primarily a subscription-based venture. Members would pay a fee to join, and in return, they could access the library's collection. Over time, as the community embraced this concept, the library expanded its scope to serve a broader audience, eventually becoming a public institution.
Franklin's Gift to the Town of Boston
Interestingly, there is another story involved with Benjamin Franklin and his love for books. In 1746, when the Town of Boston, Massachusetts requested a church bell, Franklin proposed an alternative gift—the donation of a collection of books. Recognizing the value of education and literature, Franklin provided the town with books that were carefully curated to suit the interests and needs of the community.
The Impact and Legacy
The establishment of the Library Company of Philadelphia and Franklin's gift to Boston had a profound impact on the dissemination of knowledge in the United States. These early institutions influenced the development of public libraries across the country, ensuring that books and knowledge were more widely accessible to the general public. The concept of a lending library, pioneered by Franklin, ultimately transformed the landscape of education and literacy in America.
Conclusion
The story of how Benjamin Franklin and his Junto Club created the Library Company of Philadelphia is a testament to the power of innovation and collective action. Their vision for a lending library not only provided access to knowledge but also paved the way for a future where libraries serve as hubs of learning and community engagement. As we continue to celebrate the contributions of notable figures like Franklin, it is important to recognize the enduring impact of their ideas and initiatives.