Talk:First public library

Note for the archived deletion debate for this article see Talk:First public library/delete. -- Graham &#9786; | Talk 20:54, 25 Jul 2004 (UTC)

I started this page because it is a question whose answer or investigation I am genuinely interested in. I had always assumed that the public lending library was a British invention until I read William Sidis's claim in the book I referenced. I am not an American (nor am I British) and this article is not an attempt at American-boosterism.

I have tried researching this article on the web and found very little good information on the subject. I actively welcome edits to this page by people who have good documentary evidence. I started off the article with only the two patchy claims to the earliest origins of public libraries I have so far found.

This article was quickly listed for deletion by user RickK. I personally can't understand his reasons. What is not valid about this topic? As I said above, I am more than happy for any information I have provided in the article to be edited or added to. -- Oska 06:14, Jul 15, 2004 (UTC)


 * I think one way to start is to define what a "public library" is.
 * Is it a:
 * library open to the public?
 * library which lends some of its books to the public?
 * library supported entirely at public expense?
 * library supported partly at public expense?
 * some combination of these?

The Boston Public Library claims to be the first publicly supported municipal library in America and the first public library to lend a book. - Nunh-huh 06:55, 15 Jul 2004 (UTC)


 * As I pointed out at Oska's user page, we already have public library, so perhaps that content should be going there. Ambivalenthysteria 06:59, 15 Jul 2004 (UTC)


 * Yes, Nunh-huh I think the definition of public library is an important one to investigate, however it is probably better to deal with it on the public library page and then this page can reference those definitions. I think it is worthwhile having information on the origins of the pubic library on a seperate page. From doing (mostly fruitless) searching on the internet I have encountered various History of Libraries fora, and it makes me feel that the history of libraries (public and other) is a valid topic in it's own right. Perhaps what could be improved is by changing the name of this page to refer to history or origins. Finally, more substantiated claims such as the one about the Boston Public Library are very relevant to this page and should be added. I just thought I would start out with the earliest possible claims first. -- Oska 07:13, Jul 15, 2004 (UTC)
 * I agree. Merge this information with public library and drop this page - searching the wp for 'first public library' would take you straight to public library anyway. I don't see any reason to dispute the information here, but it's in the wrong place. As a side note, I see that library has lots of cross-over information on public libraries.  Could there be a summary on library and a 'For more information, see the article on public libraries' note? hmmm I need to stop having more ideas than time. akaDruid ([[User talk:Akadruid|Talk)]] 08:57, 15 Jul 2004 (UTC)

I have opened a discussion on the need for a History of Libraries page on the Talk:Library page. -- Oska 12:29, Jul 15, 2004 (UTC)

Documentation for the claims in this article:


 * A public school was also established in Boston at that time, with similar results. But educational efforts in Massachusetts also, partly as a result of tribal influence, took more individual forms. A town library was established in Boston in 1636&#8213;actually the first public library on record.

William James Sidis -- The Tribes and the states, Chapter 8


 * Chetham's Library was founded in 1653 and is the oldest public library in the English-speaking world.

Chetham's Library Home Page (This reference found by user Heron)

After copying the information on St Mary's, Reigate, Surrey from the library article which didn't have a supporting link, found this page which documents the claim. -- Oska 15:48, Jul 15, 2004 (UTC)