Enoch Pratt Free Library
| Enoch Pratt Free Library | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Type | Public Library |
| Established | 1882[1] |
| Location | Baltimore, Maryland |
| Branches | 22[2] |
| Other information | |
| Director | CEO Carla D. Hayden, Ph.D[3] |
| Website | http://www.prattlibrary.org |
The Enoch Pratt Free Library, located in Baltimore, Maryland, is one of the oldest free public libraries in the United States.[4] Established in 1882 after a grant from philanthropist Enoch Pratt, the library now includes twenty-two branches in Baltimore, plus the Central Library.[5] Pratt intended his gift to establish a library that "shall be for all, rich and poor without distinction of race or color who, when properly accredited, can take out the books if they will handle them carefully and return them."[6] The Central Library was designated the "State Library Resource Center for the State of Maryland" by the Maryland General Assembly in 1971.[7]
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[edit] Notable Library Statistics
In 2010, there were two million visits to Pratt, a 58% increase over the previous two years - more people than attended Ravens games. Pratt's award-winning website got 2,600,000 hits. 106,000 children, teens and their families participated in child and teen programs. Children and teens read 220,000 books in the Summer Reading Program. There are 600 computers available system-wide for public use.
[edit] Branches
Pratt's branches serve the unique needs of patrons in their neighborhoods. For example, the Southeast Anchor branch has a program for new speakers of English and Spanish to practice their conversation skills informally. Each branch has its own page on the Pratt web site with its own blog.
[edit] See Also
[edit] References
- ^ "History of the Library: Beginnings". http://www.prattlibrary.org/about/index.aspx?id=1604#beginnings. Retrieved March 20, 2011.
- ^ "Library Locations Map". http://www.prattlibrary.org/locations/map.aspx. Retrieved March 20, 2011.
- ^ "About The Library". http://www.prattlibrary.org/about/. Retrieved March 20, 2011.
- ^ "Enoch Pratt Free Library Homepage". http://www.prattlibrary.org/. Retrieved March 20, 2011.
- ^ "Library Locations Map". http://www.prattlibrary.org/locations/map.aspx. Retrieved March 20, 2011.
- ^ "History of the Library". http://www.prattlibrary.org/about/index.aspx?id=1604. Retrieved March 20, 2011.
- ^ "Central Library". http://www.prattlibrary.org/locations/central/index.aspx?id=1702. Retrieved March 20, 2011.
[edit] External links
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