The Young Men’s Library Association was established in 1848. YMLA grew out of the Augusta Library Society, incorporated in 1827. According to 199 Years of Augusta’s Library by Berry Fleming, “The Augusta Library Society appeared to have grown out of a ‘Public Library’ that was in existence in 1811. Prior to this, as early as 1808, “The Thespian Society and Library Company of Augusta” was active. According to Augusta lore, the Charming Nancy shipped a collection of 166 volumes from England, meant for Augusta’s first library. The books were donated to the Trustees of Georgia in 1732 and 1733 and delivered by a Missionary in March of 1750.