Modern public library Library

james silk buckingham led campaign public libraries in mid 19th century.

although mid-19th century, england claim 274 subscription libraries , scotland, 266, foundation of modern public library system in britain public libraries act 1850. act first gave local boroughs power establish free public libraries , first legislative step toward creation of enduring national institution provides universal free access information , literature. in 1830s, @ height of chartist movement, there general tendency towards reformism in united kingdom. capitalist economic model had created significant amount of free time workers, , middle classes concerned workers’ free time not being well-spent. prompted more victorian middle class paternalism rather demand lower social orders. campaigners felt encouraging lower classes spend free time on morally uplifting activities, such reading, promote greater social good.

in 1835, , against government opposition, james silk buckingham, mp sheffield , supporter of temperance movement, able secure chair of select committee examine extent, causes, , consequences of prevailing vice of intoxication among labouring classes of united kingdom , propose solutions. francis place, campaigner working class, agreed establishment of parish libraries , district reading rooms, , popular lectures on subjects both entertaining , instructive community might draw off number of frequent public houses sole enjoyment afford . buckingham introduced parliament public institution bill allowing boroughs charge tax set libraries , museums, first of kind. although did not become law, had major influence on william ewart mp , joseph brotherton mp, introduced bill “[empower] boroughs population of 10,000 or more raise ½d establishment of museums”. became museums act 1845.

the advocacy of ewart , brotherton succeeded in having select committee set consider public library provision. report argued provision of public libraries steer people towards temperate , moderate habits. view maximising potential of current facilities, committee made 2 significant recommendations. suggested government should issue grants aid foundation of libraries , museums act 1845 should amended , extended allow tax levied establishment of public libraries. bill passed through parliament mps felt public libraries provide facilities self-improvement through books , reading classes, , greater levels of education attained providing public libraries result in lower crime rates.

the earliest example in england of library endowed benefit of users not members of institution such cathedral or college francis trigge chained library in grantham, lincolnshire, established in 1598. library still exists , can justifiably claim forerunner of later public library systems. beginning of modern, free, open access libraries got start in uk in 1847. parliament appointed committee, led william ewart, on public libraries consider necessity of establishing libraries through nation: in 1849, report noted poor condition of library service, recommended establishment of free public libraries on country, , led public libraries act in 1850, allowed cities populations exceeding 10,000 levy taxes support of public libraries.

the turn of 20th century witnessed tremendous expansion in provision of public libraries in english-speaking world. pictured, peter white public library built in 1905.

salford museum , art gallery first opened in november 1850 royal museum & public library , first unconditionally free public library in england. library in campfield, manchester first library operate free lending library without subscription in 1852. norwich lays claims being first municipality adopt public libraries act 1850 (which allowed municipal borough population of 100,000 or more introduce halfpenny rate establish public libraries—although not buy books). norwich eleventh library open, in 1857, after winchester, manchester, liverpool, bolton, kidderminster, cambridge, birkenhead, , sheffield.

another important act education act 1870, increased literacy , thereby demand libraries. 1877, more 75 cities had established free libraries, , 1900 number had reached 300. marks start of public library know it. , these acts influenced similar laws in other countries, such us. first tax-supported public library in united states peterborough, new hampshire (1833) first supported state funds act providing establishment of public libraries in 1849.

expansion

andrew carnegie played important role in financing public libraries across english-speaking world.

the year 1876 key in history of librarianship in united states. american library association formed, american library journal, melvil dewey published decimal-based system of classification, , united states bureau of education published report, public libraries in united states of america; history, condition, , management. during post-civil war years, there rise in establishment of public libraries, movement led chiefly newly formed women s clubs. contributed own collections of books, conducted lengthy fund raising campaigns buildings, , lobbied within communities financial support libraries, legislatures , carnegie library endowment founded in 20th century. led establishment of 75–80 percent of libraries in communities across country.

philanthropists , businessmen, including john passmore edwards, henry tate , andrew carnegie, helped increase number of public libraries late 19th century. carnegie alone built on 2000 libraries in us, 660 carnegie libraries in britain, in addition many more in commonwealth. carnegie funded academic libraries, favoring small schools , schools african american students. “in 1899, pennsylvania state college became first college receive carnegie funding ($150,000) , library constructed in 1903.”