The public library is a cultural and educational institution that provides free, open access to books and other information resources for the general public, funded typically through government or municipal support rather than private subscription. Modern public library systems developed chiefly in nineteenth-century Britain and the United States, building on earlier subscription and parish libraries, with philanthropic support, most famously from Andrew Carnegie, funding thousands of library buildings across the English-speaking world. Public libraries have since expanded their institutional role well beyond book lending to include community programming, digital access and literacy services, and are widely regarded as a foundational institution of public education and civic life.
Reader Challenges (0 open reader challenges)
No disputes yet. Spotted an error or a better source? Open the first one.
Sign in to dispute this or suggest a correction.
View At A Past Year
The atlas records no dated fact of its own for this entry, so there is no other year to choose.