Newburyport Public Library, in Newburyport, Massachusetts, was founded in September, 1854, by Josiah Little. It opened its doors to the public on September 5, 1855, in Ward Room 4 of the new City Hall. On that day its collection amounted to about 5750 books.[1] Its operating budget depended at first on legacies and the generosity of private citizens. The library flourished.