Postcard, "Sage Library, Bay City, MI," circa 1912

Until the 20th century, most book collections were not available to everyday Americans. They were either privately owned, accessible only by paid subscription, or stored away haphazardly. In some communities, wealthy philanthropists funded dedicated library buildings, like this one that opened in Bay City, Michigan, in 1884. The concept of free public libraries gained traction in the early 1900s.