I drew a sketch of the plan and rules that would be necessary, and got a skilful conveyancer, Mr.
This was accordingly done, and for some time contented us.įinding the advantage of this little collection, I propos'd to render the benefit from books more common, by commencing a public subscription library. I propos'd that we should all of us bring our books to that room, where they would not only be ready to consult in our conferences, but become a common benefit, each of us being at liberty to borrow such as he wish'd to read at home. We had left the alehouse, where we first met, and hired a room to hold our club in. Those who lov'd reading were oblig'd to send for their books from England the members of the Junto had each a few. In New York and Philad'a the printers were indeed stationers they sold only paper, etc., almanacs, ballads, and a few common school-books. I will therefore begin here with an account of it, which may be struck out if found to have been already given.Īt the time I establish'd myself in Pennsylvania, there was not a good bookseller's shop in any of the colonies to the southward of Boston. I know not whether an account is given of the means I used to establish the Philadelphia public library, which, from a small beginning, is now become so considerable, though I remember to have come down to near the time of that transaction (1730). Farming out the running of libraries may not raise the ethical questions that, say, hiring a mercenary army does, but we should be aware that it isn't necessarily a quick fix for the system.īelow, an excerpt from Franklin's book. But we all know how well this has worked for other public services that are run by independent agencies (D.M.V., M.T.A., Amtrak). Obviously the "public" part of "public library" is not negotiable: since these libraries are still open to the public (and paid for by the public), they are keeping the most important part of "public" alive. Libraries are often the first to go during a budget crisis, and I'm glad that these cities have opted to keep them open, even if it means bringing in private companies (Santa Clarita's reasons are less clear, but they also have to do with "ensuring survival"). I am not certain what the news about the privatization of libraries signals.
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