this site: The Straight Dope. How did public libraries get started? How did public libraries get started? This definition from The Straight Dope a brief history of public libraries created the very concept created the very concept this site: The Straight Dope. created the very concept created the very concept How did public libraries get started? a privilege of the wealthy a privilege of the wealthy this site: The Straight Dope. birth of the public library system birth of the public This definition from The Straight Dope