Benjamin Franklin is credited with inventing the concept of the public library in America through his founding of the Library Company of Philadelphia in 1731. As books were rare and expensive, especially for ordinary citizens in colonial times, Franklin wanted to provide broader access to them for the betterment of society. Inspired by his Junto club’s thirst for knowledge, he established a subscription library where members pooled resources to build a shared collection, making books available to all who joined the society. Franklin’s motivation was rooted in the belief that an informed and educated populace was essential for democracy and civic improvement. By democratizing access to books and learning, Franklin’s innovation inspired countless other lending libraries, laying the foundation for the modern public library system.

This section hosts a collection of our favorites from then and now.