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Thursday, January 22, 2009

Budget woes threatens oldest library in the nation


Darby Free Library is oldest in the nation
Link: Darby library faces the ax / Oldest in the U.S., it's in $ pinch [Daily News]

Delaware County's Darby Free Library, which was founded in 1743 and is believed to be the oldest continuously operating public library in America, will be forced to close its doors at year's end if somebody doesn't write a fat check, the Daily News has learned.

"We're on the chopping block," said Susan Borders, director of the library at 10th and Main streets, near the Southwest Philly border. "We thought we may have had four years left, but after going over our finances, we only have this year."

Founded by 29 Quaker townsmen, the library received its first shipment of 45 volumes from London in November 1743, with the assistance of botanist John Bartram.
Posted by Ben Waxman @ 8:43 AM  Permalink | 1 comment
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