I suppose it depends on what you mean by a lending library. Within social
circles, I would propose that church libraries, evan a chapel bookcase of
references might be loaned out. Certainly the earliest book accumulators must have
shared within their social circles. When it comes to the 16th century colonies,
that might also have been true. Then again, if you begin to set limits on your
definitions to expand the social circles you might come up with diffierent
definitions. I suspect Benjamin Franklin loaned books as a way of getting people
to read a specific set of ideas. He was someone who calculated much of what
he did in public to achieve a perceived effect. For example, he deliberately
hauled a small wagon of wood through his local town so everyone would see him
diligently working (supposedly, it was the same wood). I suspect his library was
more a way of educating those who would borrow, rather than a public library
concept. So, it all comes down to deifnitions.

Ron May
Legacy 106, Inc.