Benjamin Franklin invented America's first lending library in 1731 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. But the public library system was greatly improved in the late 1800's. Andrew Carnegie gave millions of dollars to help build free public libraries across the country.
Andrew Carnegie believed that libraries could help Americans, young and old. He knew that the more libraries there were, the more people would have chances to read books, articles, news and more. "There are now more public libraries in the United States than McDonald's restaurants," said Clara Hayden, a worker in a library.
Now, there is a public library in or near a neighbor-hood. After all, the United States is home to 9,225 public libraries. Today, libraries continue to change and grow. About seven out of ten libraries offer free Internet service. This opens many doors for people who cannot go online at home, helping people ask for jobs online.
Libraries are also teaching kids about the fun of reading. One new programme called "Read! Build! Play!" combines reading with playtime. As kids listen to a book being read aloud, they play a game to know about the story.
Benjamin Franklin once said, "The doors of wisdom are never shut." As long as the doors of public libraries are open, his saying is most certainly true!
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