When it all started On July 1, 1731, Benjamin Franklin founded
the first circulating library which was a model for the many
public libraries in the U.S. He began it as a way to settle
intellectual arguments with a group of friends called the Junto
who discussed civil matters and eventually morphed into the
present American Philosophical Society. Each of the charter
members bought a share which provided funds to buy books. In
exchange, they could borrow books. They called their library the
Library Company of Philadelphia. The books were moved to the
Pennsylvania State House which is now known as Independence
Hall.