List of libraries in Connecticut in the 18th century facts for kids

Imagine a time before the internet, before public libraries were common! In the 1700s, people in Connecticut still loved to read and learn. This article tells you about the different kinds of libraries that existed in Connecticut during the 18th century. These weren't always like the big public libraries we have today. Instead, they were often small collections of books shared by groups of people, churches, or schools. They helped people get access to books for learning, entertainment, and religious study.

Libraries in 18th-Century Connecticut

In the 1700s, Connecticut was a busy place with many towns. People wanted to read and learn, but books were expensive. To solve this, different kinds of libraries started to appear. These libraries helped people share books and knowledge.

What Were These Libraries Like?

The libraries in 18th-century Connecticut were not all the same. They had different ways of working and different types of books. Most of them were not open to everyone for free, like modern public libraries.

Early Book Clubs: Subscription Libraries

Many libraries were called subscription libraries. To join, people paid a fee, like a membership. Once you paid, you could borrow books from the collection. It was like an early book club! These libraries were a great way for communities to share books. Buying many books was expensive back then, so sharing made it easier for more people to read.

For example, the Social Library Association of Abington was one such library. In Brooklyn, the Union Library started in 1774. In Durham, the Book Company of Durham was very old, starting in 1733 and lasting until 1856!

Borrowing Books: Rental Libraries

Some libraries were rental libraries, also known as circulating libraries. These were often run by individuals or businesses. You would pay a small fee each time you wanted to borrow a book. This was a good option for people who didn't want to pay a full subscription fee.

An example is T. Hubbard's circulating library in Chelsea. In Norwich, John Trumbull's circulating library and Samuel Trumbull's circulating library also offered books for rent.

Libraries for Learning: Academic and Church Libraries

Besides shared community libraries, there were also academic libraries and church libraries. Academic libraries were found in colleges or schools. The most famous one was the Yale College Library in New Haven. These libraries held books mainly for students and teachers.

Church libraries were often part of a church. They usually had religious books and texts. These helped people study their faith and learn more about religious topics. An example is the Kensington Parish Library in Berlin, which started around 1788. The Episcopalian Society Library in Harwinton also began in 1793.

Where Could Kids Find Books?

While most libraries were for adults, some might have had books suitable for older children. The idea of a "juvenile library" specifically for young people was just starting. For example, the Juvenile Library in Harwinton was established in 1797. This shows that people were beginning to think about providing books just for younger readers.

Many towns in Connecticut had some form of library by the end of the 1700s. Here are just a few more examples:

• In Danbury, the Franklin Library operated from 1770 to 1833.
• Hartford had the Hartford Library Company.
• In Milford, the Milford Library was founded early, in 1745.
• New Haven was home to the Mechanic Library Society of New-Haven, started in 1793.
• In Pomfret, the United English Library for the Propagation of Christian and Useful Knowledge existed from 1739 to 1805. This shows a focus on both religious and useful learning.
• The Public Library in Warren started in 1770.
• In Woodstock, the United Lyon Library began in 1768.

These early libraries were very important. They helped people learn, share ideas, and grow their communities. They were the first steps toward the public libraries we enjoy today.