Nation's First Public Library

In 1803, Caleb Bingham established in Salisbury the first library in the United States open to the public free of charge. The collection was expressly created for use by young people nine to sixteen years of age although it was used by adults as well. In 1810, the town board voted to allocate tax money toward the operation of the "Bingham Library For Youth," thereby making Salisbury the first community in America to provide tax-supported public library services.

Salisbury, Connecticut · United States