The 19th Century Democratization of Information

When towns and a variety of civic and mercantile organizations began to establish libraries throughout America in the first half of the nineteenth century, they gradually provided a broader range of people with access to full participation in American business, cultural, and civic life.

While these century libraries and schools undoubtedly functioned as tools for "social control," they also provided a means by which new groups of Americans could gain power within the culture. In this way, the "preservation" of culture led to cultural change.

Not all Americans were expected to acquired an advanced formal education in the 19th century, but it was considered your duty to seek out every opportunity to expand your education through self-cultivation.

 

To gain some insight into the function of reading as a means of cultivation, you may find it interesting to see pictures from the magazines read by a teenage boy in Gloucester in the 1850's.

Libraries and books allowed readers to pursue a course of self-culture.

An example of how young Americans in the nineteenth century were taught to use reading as an entree to participation in the world of business and citizenship can be found in William Makepeace Thayer's classic boy's book: The Bobbin Boy, or How Nat Got an Education. In the story, young Nat is surprised to learn that he must leave school in order to help support his family by taking a job at the local factory. Here is how his mother comforts him:

"There is one thing to be thought of for your advantage. You love to read, and the manufacturing company have a good library for the operatives. You can take out books, and read evenings...."

"You will find as much time to acquire knowledge as ever Dr. Franklin did, and many other men who have been distinguished; and that is some encouragement."

"Last winter our teacher told Frank and I about Patrick Henry and Dr. Franklin, and he said that boys now have far better advantages. Do you suppose that the life of Dr. Franklin or the life of Patrick Henry will be in the library at the factory?"

"I have no doubt that both of them are there, and you can take the first opportunity to draw one of them out."

This last suggestion was a very important one to Nat. The prospect of having access to a good library made Nat almost willing to go into the factory.

Libraries also provided a civilized and civilizing public space. This was part of the explicit agenda of many subscription libraries.

Llibraries also usually offered prescriptions and mentoring.

 

As you can see by this sample from a catalogue of the Young Men's Christion Union Library in Boston, and this rear cover of the catalogue of the Boston Mercantile Association Library (both from the 1850's), libraries continued to provide carefully selected materials.

Libraries provided a space in which individuals could meet others in their communities and professions. They also often provided a schedule of courses, lectures, and clubs that developed the skills needed for success.

 

By providing access to printed materials, a community of readers, and cultural activities, libraries provided nineteenth century Americans with training for citizenship.

For an excellent example of all of the above, see "The New York Mercantile Library," by Jno. R. G. Hassard, Scribner's Monthly, February, 1871: pp. 353-367. (Available online at Cornell's Making of America.)

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