May 29, 1776

Benjamin Franklin established the Library Company of Philadelphia in 1731 as a subscription library, where shareholders contributed money to support a collection of books. It remains an independent research library in the city to this day. But, on May 30, 1776, there was a meeting to discuss what to do with the books in the event Philadelphia no longer became a safe place for the library. The members of the Library Company were requested to attend this meeting “to consider of the Propriety of empowering the Directors to remove the Books and Effects of the Company, and determine on the Place where they shall be deposited, in case any future Event should render that Measure necessary.” Clearly, fears of a British attack were spreading in Philadelphia, and contingency plans were being put into place for the city’s inhabitants and institutions.

The Pennsylvania Gazette
Printed by Hall and Sellers

THE Members of the LIBRARY COMPANY of Philadelphia are requested to attend at the Library Room, on Thursday, the 30th Day of May instant, at Two o’Clock in the Afternoon, in order to consider of the Propriety of empowering the Directors to remove the Books and Effects of the Company, and determine on the Place where they shall be deposited, in case any future Event should render that Measure necessary.

By Order of the Directors,
ANDREW ROBESON, Secretary.