Now in paperback! The concept of the American public library was born in the nineteenth century under the auspices of private citizens and small public organizations, and then grew through the nurturing of both the capitalist and democratic systems.

Enrichment provides an overview of the notable events and underlying trends that either furthered or deterred the growth of this beloved institution. The book is organized in a broad chronological order, dividing the twentieth century into six segments, from the first era up to World War I, and through the current decade leading to the turn of the next century. Within each segment there is a brief background summary of the main social, cultural, and political characteristics of the time. Then the broad thrust of library service in each period is reviewed, followed by more detailed examination of notable professional developments in the same years. A brief introduction provides a summary of the public library's development in the nineteenth century, and two figures included in the text will assist the reader in further understanding the details of this ever-growing agency.