It is interesting to note that many successful people speak of the influence of libraries in their lives. Most recently, in an article in the Wall Street Journal, Michael J. Saylor, billionaire CEO of MicroStrategy, talks of his desire to create a free online university and cyberlibrary for all, with videos of all the great writers, scientists, artists, and athletes describing how they work. My alma mater was books, a good library. Malcolm X Philadelphia's symbol, the favorite founding father, Ben Franklin, founded the first public 'subscription' library in America for all to use, The Association of the Library Company of Philadelphia, in essence, America's first public library, in 1731. Thomas Jefferson sold his library to the United States after the Library of Congress had been burned by the British in 1814.
Libraries are a symbol of our culture and a large part of our heritage.
Whatever the cost of our libraries, the price is cheap compared to that of an ignorant nation. College libraries receive less than 3 cents of every dollar spent on higher education. I must say that I find television very educational. The minute somebody turns it on, I go to the library and read a book. On April 11, Hagerty Library will join the celebration of National Library Week as part of its Open House to highlight its recent makeover.