First Public Lending Library in America (1731) – 52 Weeks of Firsts

Saturday, December 19·Washington Square West

First Public Lending Library in America (1731) – 52 Weeks of Firsts

Posted to Washington Square West on January 3, 2026

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When

Sat, Dec 19

Where

1314 Locust Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107, United States

Check it out… no, really! Founded by Ben Franklin, the Library Company became America's first public lending library, putting books in hands and ideas in motion. Not surprisingly, Philadelphia wrote the first chapter.

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