Full Guide to Enoch Pratt Free Library - One of the Oldest Free Public Library Systems in the US

If you are a book lover traveling to Baltimore, then a visit to the Enoch Pratt Free Library in the city would be really enriching. The oldest free public library in North America, it was set up in the late nineteenth century, after it received a grant from Enoch Pratt, a renowned philanthropist who had a vision to have a reading center where there would not be a divide between people of all caste, creed and race. In 1971, the Maryland General Assembly proclaimed it as the State Library Resource Center.

Enoch Pratt Free Library

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enoch_Pratt_Free_Library

Over the years, the library authorities collected books and materials from the region, and rare collections from all over the world. Today it boasts of over 1.9 million books, educational resources and research material, pamphlets, CDs and tapes. It also has a large collection of children's books. The library has 20 branches all over the city.

Collections and catalogs at the Enoch Pratt Free Library

http://pac.epfl.net/uhtbin/cgisirsi/5paeEpabLd/CENTRAL/173180064/60/1180/X

Unfortunately, the Enoch Pratt Free Library was suffering due to lack of funds for over a decade. However, in 2003, there was a major initiative to revamp its overall infrastructure after the federal government seriously looked into the matter. A new wing has been created that contains books and transcripts to promote the African-American language and culture. Currently, the budget kept aside for annual maintenance is $38 million. It runs with the help of both state and private funding.

Digital collections at the Enoch Pratt Free Library

http://www.prattlibrary.org/digital/

You can visit the library from 10:00am to 08:00pm from Monday to Wednesday, Thursday to Saturday from 10:00am to 05:00pm and 1:30 p.m to 5:00 p.m on Sundays.

Location and Library hours

http://www.prattlibrary.org/locations/

Services at the Enoch Pratt Library

http://www.prattlibrary.org/services/

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