Boston Mercantile Library is established.

Originally the Boston Mechanic Apprentice Library, it is founded by Theodore Lyman and other young clerks and located initially in rented rooms in Merchant Hall on Congress Street. Its purpose is to promote “self culture [among] the younger members of the commercial classes.” The organization moves to Hardings buildings on School Street from 1836 to 1841, then to Amory Hall on Washington Street, to Province Street around 1851, to 16 Summer Street from around 1861 to 1868, and then to a new building at 685 Tremont Street. The organization is absorbed by the Boston Public Library in 1877, but remains in existence until 1952. Much of its collection is contained in the South End Branch Library.