Public libraries in Paris during the xixth century.

The public libraries in Paris, in the XIXth century, did not lack theorists among revolutionary or liberal governments, " philanthrope " circles and workmen's friendly societies. The outcome of the few actions that were initiated during the 2nd Empire was too modest, and only from the setting up of a real policy on popular libraries by the " Préfecture " in 1880 did things start to change. The number of loans in town supported libraries grew during the last 20 years of the century from 60 000 to 2 millions. This movement lost speed soon afterwards, and from that lst Parisian network only the Forney library was able to start a 2nd career.
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