The public library was conceived as a moral reform instrument from its earliest plans

Evidence

Kirkwood argued that a good local library would have a moral function, encouraging men to spend less time gambling and drinking, and more time reading. — Andrew Pettegree, Arthur der Weduwen, The Library- A Fragile History, 432

Categorization

• SEED: Angle: the library’s self-improvement moral mission dates to its founding visionaries, predating the Victorian reformers who get the credit.
• corroborated: 2 independent passages support this claim — Andrew Pettegree, Arthur der Weduwen, The Library- A Fragile History, 432
• XREF: connects to: Early public library patrons were aspirational and sought self-improvement — Andrew Pettegree, Arthur der Weduwen, The Library- A Fragile History, 942; Peterborough, New Hampshire founded the first tax-funded public library in 1833 — Andrew Pettegree, Arthur der Weduwen, The Library- A Fragile History, 684

Broader Connections

• Peterborough, New Hampshire founded the first tax-funded public library in 1833 #expands (0.50) — Andrew Pettegree, Arthur der Weduwen, The Library- A Fragile History, 684