The Bay State has some of the oldest and most remarkable libraries in the nation and has long been home to innovative librarians, stunning architecture, and rich library history. Come take a tour!

From the arrival of the first printing press in British North America at Harvard University in 1636 to the present day, Boston and Massachusetts have been welcoming homes for the printed word. Author and historian Alan Earls will present a slideshow and discussion exploring important milestones, architectural gems, and key figures in the state’s library story. Highlights include Benjamin Franklin’s gift that helped found the first free public library in Franklin, as well as the nation’s first libraries for industrial workers and children, early taxpayer-funded town libraries, and pioneering cataloging systems, philanthropists, and architects.

Alan Earls is a Boston-area writer and author or co-author of several books including Greater Boston’s Blizzard of `78 as well as histories of the Jacob Edwards Library and the Franklin Public Library. He most recently co-authored Boston Made: From Revolution to Robotics, Innovations that Changed the World.

Registration required

Have questions about the program? Email Danny at dgage@welleselyma.gov

Generously sponsored by the Friends of the Wellesley Free Library