Join Public Historian Chad Boehlke from The Morgan County Historical Society as he discusses the history of public reading in Jacksonville!

Jacksonville in the late 1800s had two reading societies. Both of these societies were founded on the idea of a free library that is open to anyone who could pay the subscription fee. Both of these ‘libraries” went through many locations and changes. The one that is now the Jacksonville Public Library eventually received city government donations. This evolved into the public library we have today, thanks to the help of Carnegie’s donation and the idea that everyone should have free access to a library.

Admission is free and all are welcome.