America's Antebellum Social Libraries: A Reappraisal in Institutional Development

Abstract

Social libraries were public libraries before there were modern public libraries. Seldom mentioned in general histories, they played a significant role in promoting access to print culture in the early United States. Social libraries were not publicly governed or paid for by government revenue, but were independent local groups interested in sharing books and spreading 'useful knowledge'. They were generally open to all respectable people, mostly adult white males, and helped prepare the way for public libraries. Antebellum America was not accustomed to government-supported institutions like schools and libraries. Americans had to go through a period of cultural experimentation in which the relative popularity but failure of voluntary libraries gave way to the growth of publicly governed and funded libraries. Social libraries were therefore a necessary stage in institutional development to prepare America for tax-supported public libraries.

Keywords:

• SOCIAL LIBRARIES
• UNITED STATES
• NINETEENTH CENTURY
• COMMUNITY LIBRARIES
• INSTITUTIONS
• SOCIABILITY
• LIBRARIANS