Some fun facts about the Boston Public Library that most people don't know are:
BPL is amoung the three largest collective libraries in the country.
Not only can you borrow books and other items, this library offers the lending ability of e-books, audiobooks, movies, and music.
In 2016, the Johnson Building underwent personalization to fit into the modernization of history.
The history of libraries are complex and complicated. Some of these facts might shock you:
Emperor Shih huang-ti of the Ch'in dynasty ordered to have the historical records of their culture be destroyed, being selfish through the fact that he wanted China's history to begin with Shih huang-it.
Julius Caesar had constructed a plan to create a public library. He brought these plans to an distinguishable scholar and writer, Marcus Terentius Varro. Before these plans could further more, Caesar died, therefore putting a halt on the construction of this idea. But, within the next 5 years, slow progress was being made on this library by Asinius Pollio, who was a literary patron. With the help of many more, the Public Record Office of Rome was created.
Small libraries have been around since the early times, such as the Reverend John Harvard private libraries which started as early as 1638 with around 280 books. To illustrate wealth back then, colleges and other learning centers measured this wealth through book collections.
Benjamin Franklin also had a large library, housing over 4,000 books until he died in 1790. Before his death, he instituded a "subscription library" in 1731. This was his way of sharing books amoung his members. This eventually evolved into the Library Company of Philadelphia in 1742. After this new edition to the knowledge world, Boston followed in Phildelphia's steps, creating its own historical legacy.
