In the Beginning - the Early History of BPL

In 1882, when Berkeley was a community of some 2000 souls, the first serious attempt was made to establish a reading room and circulating library in the town.  A hundred dollars was scraped together - although $400 was the stated goal - a few daily and weekly newspapers were subscribed to, and 54 books were donated.  On the 18th of March a room was rented in a building on the corner o