My Word with Douglas E. Welch

I am a great fan of libraries. I grew up using a Carnegie library in my small (<2000 pop.) town in Ohio and even worked in the University library in college. I still read most of my books from the LA Public Library either via eBook or paper copies. It is great to revisit the origin of these important civic institutions, especially that this moment when many are having their independence – if not entire existence – endangered. – Douglas

📕 Overdue, Part 1: the birth of public libraries

This week, we kick off our first two-parter on library-building in the US, from Franklin through Carnegie.

In most American towns, suburbs, and cities, there’s usually a library where you can borrow books, use the internet, or simply rest safely for a while. And while they aren’t perfect (more on the current state of libraries next week), libraries are still striving to be what steel magnate Andrew Carnegie called “palaces for the people.”

Read 📕 Overdue, Part 1: the birth of public libraries