In the mid-nineteenth century, the establishment of the Boston Public Library marked a significant shift in how municipalities viewed information access. Previously, libraries were primarily private subscription-based entities open only to dues-paying members. By contrast, Boston’s new institution was funded entirely through local tax revenues and made its collection freely available to all residents. Proponents of the library argued that free access to literature was vital for cultivating an informed citizenry capable of participating in democratic governance. Critics, however, feared that public funding of libraries would lead to an undue tax burden on property owners and that the general public would only use the facility to read frivolous popular fiction rather than educational materials.
According to the passage, critics of the Boston Public Library were concerned that the library would:
- Adiscourage residents from participating in local democratic governance
- Brequire property owners to pay annual membership dues to access the collection
- be used by the public for light entertainment rather than educational readingAnswer
- Dbe funded by private subscriptions rather than municipal tax revenues