franklin public library

Very impressive, well maintained and well stocked with interesting books, videos and reference material. The main floor is all wood from floor to furniture. Great murals. Wish we had more time to re-visit.

This is the first library in the nation and worth checking out. If I lived there I'd be there all the time. I am glad I didn't miss this on my trip to the area.

Franklin Library is a beautiful historical building in downtown Franklin. You can get a tour of the building and hear the history of how Ben Franklin donated his own books to begin the first public library in the US.The staff are very friendly and encourage you to request books from other libraries. I belong to a few book clubs here in town and we can usually have them order several copies of the books we are reading for everyone to have available to them. They also encourage you to download the library books on either your Nook or Kindle. It works great so that you do not have to go into the library to get a book.

the staff is so friendly and helpful and I walked out with a book and a video game !!! I am so glad I was able to return my book to another library !! I want to go back for the tour of the library

This is the most complete library I have been in for a smallish town. It has a lot of history from Benjamin Franklin to the frescoes painted on the walls. You can take a tour of the library or stroll through it at your leisure. there are computer stations that you can use and an online catalog that you are able to borrow from a network of Massachusetts libraries. There is a children's room and a very diverse election in the upper 3 levels of the library. The original books given to Franklin by Ben Franklin are still on display in the library. There is much to read and a plethora of research information through the Minuteman Network. If you stroll outside you can also view a bronze sculpture of the man, Benjamin Franklin, himself, that is a recent addition to the charm of this library. I have been accessing this library for 51 years and will continue to do so in the future as I have at least once a month in the past decades.

You cannot beat the first public library in the United States. The collection of books is amazing and the architecture breathtaking. A great place to read, study, or relax

Here's the story. In 1778 or so, the people of what is now Franklin, which was then part of Wrentham, decided it was too hard getting to town meetings in the winter, and split off to form a new town. Much debate over the name, but some bright soul suggested naming it Franklin, after (of course) Benjamin Franklin. The thought was that BF would be so flattered, he would contribute a bell for the town hall. The townsfolk agreed, the letter (with broad, bell-related hints) was sent, and Mr. Franklin conferred by letter with his nephew in London. It seems he was concerned that a bell would require hiring a bell ringer, and BF thought the townsfolk probably couldn't afford it. He instructed said nephew to buy some books instead, and sent the crate to Franklin, with the admonition that "sense was preferable to sound." Churchmen fought over control of the books for years, but in time they became available to the townspeople. First free public library. (Yes, Harvard's is older, but is it public? No.) The Ray family, the town aristocrats, built a lovely building around the turn of the last century, and the books are still there, on display, in a locked glass-front cabinet. An Italian artist was brought in to paint classical murals. More recently, the town added to the original building in a way that maintained its original style. This is a great, great piece of New England history, not to be missed.

Locals are justifiably proud of the library tradition in Franklin. Underfunded now but bravely carrying on the mission.

what can i say a great public venue and mainted wonderfully..keep up the good work!