American Libraries before 1876

(Hardback)

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Description

1876 is considered to mark the beginning of the modern library movement in the United States, but Americans created and used thousands of libraries before that date. While the history of American libraries has not been neglected by scholars, none has examined in detail where in the different parts of the country various libraries came into existence over any extended period of time. The present work does that, detailing the kinds of libraries that existed before 1876 and including 80 to 85 kinds, depending on the way the collections are classified.

Reviews

By reading American Libraries before 1876, one learns about asylum libraries, bray libraries, proprietary libraries, society libraries and tavern reading rooms. The differences in a "ladies' social library" and a "ladies' society library" are also examined. These are just a few of the types of libraries that are covered in this important volume. A must read for anyone interested in the history of libraries!-Public Library Quarterly
McMullen's work is a major resource for historians as they develop their understanding of the emergence of libraries and a print culture in the Colonial and early American periods. It also allows librarians to gain a unique regional perspective on this nascent period of American librarianship.-ARBA
The book clearly involved enormous effort, the painstaking collection of data, and an undeniable joy in discovery. The chapter notes attest to the author's familiarity with historical scholarship in numerous fields, not the least of which is library history.-College & Research Libraries
This book is the capstone of a distinguished career in librarianship.-Virginia Libraries
"McMullen's work is a major resource for historians as they develop their understanding of the emergence of libraries and a print culture in the Colonial and early American periods. It also allows librarians to gain a unique regional perspective on this nascent period of American librarianship."-ARBA
"The book clearly involved enormous effort, the painstaking collection of data, and an undeniable joy in discovery. The chapter notes attest to the author's familiarity with historical scholarship in numerous fields, not the least of which is library history."-College & Research Libraries
"This book is the capstone of a distinguished career in librarianship."-Virginia Libraries
"By reading American Libraries before 1876, one learns about asylum libraries, bray libraries, proprietary libraries, society libraries and tavern reading rooms. The differences in a "ladies' social library" and a "ladies' society library" are also examined. These are just a few of the types of libraries that are covered in this important volume. A must read for anyone interested in the history of libraries!"-Public Library Quarterly

Author Bio

HAYNES McMULLEN is Emeritus Professor of Library Science, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.