Mechanics' and Mercantile Libraries

Abstract

IN ORDER to provride a historical background for treatment of mechanics' and mercantile libraries a brief description of subscription libraries must be given. This picture is particularly important when one considers that these socalled professional institutions had many of features of subscription libraries which antedated them.' For purposes of this discussion library established by Franklin at Philadelphia in 1731 may be treated as representative of a type.2 It was, in truth, the mother of all North American subscription libraries3 which sprang up throughout colonies and, especially, in New England states. By middle of nineteenth century, when Boston Public Library was organized as first of its kind-being public in every sense, including mode of support-two-thirds of towns in Massachusetts boasted subscription libraries.4 Since in nature of Franklin library there existed no need for publicizing its purposes toward gaining support from donors or legislatures, little is to be found which describes in detail philosophy which nurtured this institution at its beginnings. At best, we must apply to it what we know of age which Franklin and his friends typified. This was a period in which American middle class was