When Benjamin Franklin instituted the first public library in the U.S., his initial goal was for equal access to knowledge for citizens of all walks of like. Books at the time were too expensive for the everyday American to purchase.
He once said, “These Libraries have improved the general Conversation of Americans, made the common Tradesmen and Farmers as intelligent as most Gentlemen from other Countries, and perhaps have contributed in some Degree to the Stand so generally made throughout the Colonies in Defence of their Priviledges.” …