Public library

A public library is a place where anyone can go to borrow books and other materials for free. It is paid for by money from the government, often through taxes. Trained workers called librarians and library paraprofessionals run these libraries.

Public libraries are found in many countries. They help people learn and read. They are different from school or college libraries because they serve everyone in the community, not just students or researchers. Libraries often have special times for young children to listen to stories. They also have quiet places for people to study and book clubs to share the joy of reading.

People can borrow books and other items to take home for a little while. Libraries also have books that can only be read inside the library. They often provide computers and internet access for anyone who needs it.

Overview

Public libraries have grown over many years thanks to better printing, paper, and books, and more people learning to read. Even ancient Romans had places where people could read scrolls.

In the middle of the 19th century, communities started making libraries that everyone could use, paid for by taxes. These libraries often began with gifts or donations to schools, churches, or towns. Later, some shops began lending books for a small fee, which helped more people read without buying books.

History

Main article: History of libraries

Early history

The first libraries were collections of the earliest writing—clay tablets in cuneiform script found in temple rooms in Sumer, dating back to 2600 BC. They appeared thousands of years ago in Southwest Asia's Fertile Crescent, which stretches from Mesopotamia to the Nile in Africa. This area was where writing began, before 3000 BC. These early libraries mostly held records of business deals or inventories.

Similar records were kept on papyrus in Ancient Egypt. The earliest private archives were found at Ugarit, containing letters, inventories, and possibly texts of myths.

In Persia during the Achaemenid Empire (550–330 BC), some impressive libraries kept official records and collected information on subjects like medicine, astronomy, history, geometry, and philosophy.

A public library was set up in Rome by the first century BC, in the Atrium Libertatis. The first major public library is believed to have been in Athens in the sixth century BC. By the end of the Hellenistic period, public libraries were common in the Eastern Mediterranean.

The Malatestiana Library in Cesena, Italy, is considered the first community-run public library in Europe. It was created in 1447 and opened in 1452, offering books in Latin, Greek, and Hebrew to anyone in the public. The library kept books on site for people to read but not to take home.

Another early library open to the public was Kalendars or Kalendaries, a group connected to the Church of All-Halloween or All Saints in Bristol, England. Records show that in 1464, they set up a library where anyone wanting to learn could visit at certain times.

In 1598, Francis Trigge created a library above St. Wulfram's Church in Grantham, Lincolnshire, open to local people and clergy. Some consider this an early form of a public library because people didn’t need to belong to a group to use it. However, the books were chained to the tables.

Enlightenment-era libraries

In the 18th century, libraries became more public and often allowed people to borrow books. Before this, public libraries were usually tied to churches and often kept their books chained. Libraries were not always open to everyone.

In Britain, Chetham's Library in Manchester, founded in 1653, was the only important library open to the public. In 1715, a small theological library was started for general use at St Peter's Church in Liverpool. The Chesshyre Library in Halton, Cheshire, was founded in 1733 as a free public library for clergy and scholars.

In Germany, The Ducal Library at Wolfenbüttel was open to the public on weekdays. In France, Claude Sallier ran an early public library in Saulieu from 1737 to 1750, aiming to make learning accessible to everyone. The Załuski Library in Warsaw, built between 1747 and 1795, was open to the public and was the first Polish public library.

Subscription libraries

The rise of books that were not academic or religious led to more libraries where people could borrow books, called subscription libraries. These began when booksellers started lending out extra copies of books in the mid-18th century. By 1790, there were about six hundred such libraries. Novels became very popular during this time. These books were read for fun rather than study, so they were made smaller and cheaper to produce, making them easier to borrow.

19th–20th centuries

United Kingdom

In 1835, James Silk Buckingham, a member of Parliament, pushed for libraries to be set up for the public. This idea grew, and in 1850, the Public Libraries Act was passed, allowing towns to use taxes to create free public libraries. This was a big step in making libraries available to everyone.

The first public library under this act opened in Warrington in 1848. By the mid-19th century, many towns had set up libraries, with Salford opening its doors in 1850 as the first fully free public library in England.

United States

Public libraries in the United States grew quickly in the late 19th century, thanks in part to donations from wealthy people like Andrew Carnegie. The first public library that still operates today is the Franklin Public Library, which started with books donated by Benjamin Franklin. The first large public library supported by taxes was the Boston Public Library, established in 1848 and opened to the public in 1854.

Many public libraries were built with help from Carnegie.

Services

Book borrowing and lending

The main job of public libraries is to help people read books and magazines. Libraries have many books that anyone can borrow with a library card. They have all kinds of books, like stories, facts, and books for kids. Libraries also have quiet places to read and let people take books home. Many libraries now have digital books and magazines too.

Libraries have special areas for children with books and fun activities. They help people borrow books from other libraries if they don’t have them. Librarians organize the books, help people find what they need, and manage the borrowing system.

Digital engagement

Public libraries help people use the internet and computers. They offer free internet and computer time, which helps people who don’t have it at home. Libraries teach people how to use computers and the internet through classes. They also help people access government services online and offer free Wi-Fi.

Classroom and meeting space

Libraries are places where people can read, study, and meet. They often host events like storytimes for children, lectures, and cultural performances. Libraries offer programs for all ages, including summer reading clubs and tech help sessions. They also provide space for community groups to meet and hold events.

Programming

Libraries offer many programs for different age groups. For adults, there are classes and clubs like book clubs and writing workshops. For teens, libraries have activities like craft classes and game nights. Children can enjoy storytimes, music classes, and special events. Libraries tailor their programs to meet the needs of their local community.

Diversity

Libraries work to make everyone feel welcome, no matter where they come from. They try to have books and programs that reflect the different cultures in their community. Libraries also train staff to better serve everyone.

Research assistance

Librarians help people find information for school projects and answer questions. They offer help in person, by phone, or online. Librarians also teach people how to find reliable information and use research tools.

Reference collections

Besides books people can borrow, libraries also have reference books that people can use inside the library. These include encyclopedias and dictionaries. Some libraries also keep historical documents and special collections that are important to the local area.

Other services

Libraries offer many other services depending on what the community needs. They might have audiobooks, e-books, CDs, and DVDs for borrowing. Some libraries even lend out tools or art pieces. Libraries also help people access online government services and offer programs during emergencies. They help people find jobs and learn new skills.

Organization

Public libraries begin when a community decides it needs one and finds ways to pay for it, often using money from taxes. Most public libraries are small and serve fewer than 25,000 people. They are usually run by a group of local leaders called a board, with a librarian in charge.

In smaller places, the city or county government might run the library with just one librarian. Other staff help with organizing books, fixing technology, and getting books ready for people to borrow. Groups like the Friends of the Library can also help with money and advice. Bigger libraries, like the Library of Congress or the Bibliothèque Nationale de France, are run by state or national governments. Organizations like the American Library Association help set rules and support libraries everywhere.

Funding

Public libraries get money from many places. Mostly, they get money from local governments. People in a city or town help support their library through taxes. Sometimes, special groups for libraries can also collect taxes to help.

Libraries can get extra money from state or national programs, like special acts or grants. Private groups and kind donors also help by giving money or setting up funds. Some libraries work with local businesses or start small shops to bring in more money.

Even though libraries are important, they sometimes have money problems. This can lead to fewer books, shorter hours, or even closing some libraries. But many people still value free libraries very much, and there are efforts to keep them open and well-supported.