Common Place

Rather than a general survey, this book traces the origins of America's early public libraries. It asks where they were established, who founded them, and what drove those founders to act.

The author profiles sixteen public libraries in New England, some with long histories and others typical of their kind. Many of the examples come from small towns, where a library often carried more weight in local life.

The final section looks ahead. It sets the present period beside the Progressive Era as a point of reference and considers how libraries relate to community wellbeing, access to opportunity, and social capital. It also asks what role libraries might play in lifelong learning as the economy changes and the population grows older.

Thomas E. Johnson, Jr. studied design at the graduate level, earning a master's degree from Harvard University. He then spent 25 years as a U.S. Foreign Service officer posted in countries around the world. He retired in 2012 and lives in Western Massachusetts with his wife, Michele. They have two grown daughters. Before this volume, his writing appeared in journals, and this is his only book.