Library Card

By Evan Sanford

  • First Library (membership)

    Benjamin Franklin Co-Founds the first American membership library in Philadelphia. It was called the First Lending library.

  • First Public Library

    First public library was created. Funded by municipal rather than member dollars.

  • Edward Sears wrights to New York Mercantile Library

    "As mentioned to you some time since, I have lost my library ticket. As [I] sometimes have occasion to call at the reading room, I do not like to transgress ‘the regulations.’ I would like to have another if you please … Though I am very apt to lose anything of the kind.” (direct quote, saying he lost his card and wants a new one.)

  • Detroit Public Library Asks users with Cards more than Five Years old to Reregister.

    Only eight hundred twenty nine of the eleven thousand four hundred forty (13.7997587455%) affected members actually did so.

  • Card Loss Rule that Results in People Finding their Cards

    At a St. Louis library, you had to pay fivepence and wait a week to get a new card. Men typically dismissed the fivepence, but didn't want to wait a week. Women and children wouldn't generally mind the week, it the fivepence could be a problem. In both scenarios, the person with the missing card would be compelled to go home and find their card.

  • Two Card System is Invented in Newark, New Jersey

    Each book had a card attached to it on with checkouts were recorded. Each borrower had their own card, on it all the books they had borrowed and the due date.

  • First Step Towards Automated Checkout

    Gaylord brothers invent a metal plate that can press a members I.D. number on to the book card.

  • 62% of Americans are Library Cardholders

    In 2011, sixty two percent of all Americans own a library card.