The Public Library in America
On Saturday, April 11th at 1 pm at the David M. Hunt Library, author Thomas E. Johnson, Jr. will discuss “The Public Library in America: a Key Post-Independence Institution Promoting the Common Good”. Johnson is the author of “Common Place: The Public Library, Civil Society and Early American Values”. The theory of the commons is an important part of the liberal philosophy which undergirded the American Revolution 250 years ago. The role of Benjamin Franklin, the “father of the public library,” in introducing and spreading commons thinking and action, including the first public libraries, will be highlighted at the outset featuring material from Walter Isaacson’s recent book, “The Greatest Sentence Ever Written,” about the drafting of the Declaration of Independence in 1776.
The talk will then cover the contents of Common Place, beginning with the history of public libraries in New England. One of the book’s case studies will then be featured – the Scoville Memorial Library in Salisbury. For the final part of the talk the author will cover the future of the public library, beginning with their expansion during the Progressive Era including with support from Andrew Carnegie. Recent survey results on public perception of libraries and their use will then be covered. Finally, first-time research results on the link between library support and use, and public social capital, well-being and opportunity will argue for public libraries as a prominent contemporary institution in the commons particularly in the looming age of AI disruption. A Q&A period will conclude the session.
Books will be available for purchase and signing after the talk.
D.M. Hunt Library
63 Main St
Falls Village CT
