What Surprising Event Led to the Creation of the First Modern Public Library?

One of the most transformative events in the history of public access to information occurred in the 18th century with the founding of the first modern public library in the city of Stockholm, Sweden, in 1731. This library, known as the Stockholm Public Library, was groundbreaking because it was open to all citizens, regardless of their social or economic status. Prior to this, libraries were primarily exclusive institutions, often associated with religious or aristocratic entities, where access was limited to a privileged few. The initiative was part of a broader Enlightenment movement that emphasized knowledge as a public good. This shift not only democratized access to literature and information but also spurred a wave of public library establishments across Europe and eventually the world, fostering a culture of literacy and education that laid the groundwork for the modern knowledge-based society we know today.