How Did The Library Of Benjamin Franklin Affect His Community

In the 1720’s, Benjamin Franklin organized a group who called themselves the Junto in Philadelphia. The Junto figured out that most colonies had some book collectors, or book sellers so they wanted all citizens to gain knowledge and read. Most of the citizens could not afford to buy the books though. Although, the Junto organized a subscription lending library which was any man could read books that are available in the library and the subscribers could borrow books to be returned later. This made the public have access to may books and information that they would not of had. The effect of this library on Benjamin Franklin and his community was the beginning of the spread of knowledge to all people of the colonies. Soon many other colonies and cities adopted the ideal of the lending libraries and people soon were able to borrow Benjamin Franklin’s Poor Richard’s Almanac, if they could not purchase their own copy. The author quoted, “These libraries have improved the general conversation of the Americans, made the common tradesmen and farmers as intelligent as most gentlemen from other countries, and perhaps have contributed in some degree to the stand so generally made throughout the colonies in defense of their privileges” (Franklin, Chapter 8). The library became known as the Library Company. The library that Benjamin Franklin

He related the story of a smith working on an axe and a customer decided that "a speckled axe is best" because good men should allow a few faults in himself for the sake of others. Benjamin Franklin claimed that he never completed his quest for moral perfection, but he did became happy. He stated, “I had been so ambitious of obtaining, but fell far short of it, yet I was, by the endeavour, a better and a happier man than I otherwise should have been if I had not attempted it” (Franklin, Chapter