Daywrecker. Boston Public Library flickr set of war posters. The BPL (1854) was the first free library in the United States, but not the first available library per se. The Library Company, founded by Benjamin Franklin and friends in 1731 enrolled members for a fee. "Volumes were purchased with the annual contributions of shareholders, building a more comprehensive library than any individual could afford." Is any lending institution that is not free and open to the public truly a library? Or is that more of a club... just saying...
