History Library

1 history

1.1 libraries
1.2 classical period
1.3 late antiquity
1.4 islamic lands

1.4.1 islam


1.5 european middle ages
1.6 renaissance
1.7 enlightenment era libraries

1.7.1 subscription libraries
1.7.2 private libraries


1.8 national libraries
1.9 modern public library

1.9.1 expansion

history

early libraries

tablet library of ashurbanipal containing part of epic of gilgamesh

the first libraries consisted of archives of earliest form of writing—the clay tablets in cuneiform script discovered in temple rooms in sumer, dating 2600 bc. these archives, consisted of records of commercial transactions or inventories, mark end of prehistory , start of history.

things same in government , temple records on papyrus of ancient egypt. earliest discovered private archives kept @ ugarit; besides correspondence , inventories, texts of myths may have been standardized practice-texts teaching new scribes. there evidence of libraries @ nippur 1900 bc , @ nineveh 700 bc showing library classification system.

over 30,000 clay tablets library of ashurbanipal have been discovered @ nineveh, providing modern scholars amazing wealth of mesopotamian literary, religious , administrative work. among findings enuma elish, known epic of creation, depicts traditional babylonian view of creation, epic of gilgamesh, large selection of omen texts including enuma anu enlil contained omens dealing moon, visibility, eclipses, , conjunction planets , fixed stars, sun, corona, spots, , eclipses, weather, namely lightning, thunder, , clouds, , planets , visibility, appearance, , stations , , astronomic/astrological texts, standard lists used scribes , scholars such word lists, bilingual vocabularies, lists of signs , synonyms, , lists of medical diagnoses.

the tablets stored in variety of containers such wooden boxes, woven baskets of reeds, or clay shelves. “libraries” cataloged using colophons, publisher’s imprint on spine of book, or in case tablet. colophons stated series name, title of tablet, , information scribe needed indicate. eventually, clay tablets organized subject , size. unfortunately, due limited bookshelf space, once more tablets added library, older ones removed, why tablets missing excavated cities in mesopotamia.

according legend, mythical philosopher laozi keeper of books in earliest library in china, belonged imperial zhou dynasty. also, evidence of catalogues found in destroyed ancient libraries illustrates presence of librarians.

classical period

artistic rendering of library of alexandria, based on archaeological evidence

the library of alexandria, in egypt, largest , significant great library of ancient world. flourished under patronage of ptolemaic dynasty , functioned major center of scholarship construction in 3rd century bc until roman conquest of egypt in 30 bc. library conceived , opened either during reign of ptolemy soter (323–283 bc) or during reign of son ptolemy ii (283–246 bc). organization system in effect @ alexandria.

the library of celsus in ephesus, anatolia, part of selçuk, turkey built in honor of roman senator tiberius julius celsus polemaeanus (completed in 135) celsus’ son, gaius julius aquila (consul, 110 ad). library built store 12,000 scrolls , serve monumental tomb celsus.

private or personal libraries made of written books (as opposed state or institutional records kept in archives) appeared in classical greece in 5th century bc. celebrated book collectors of hellenistic antiquity listed in late 2nd century in deipnosophistae. these libraries greek; cultivated hellenized diners in deipnosophistae pass on libraries of rome in silence. time of augustus, there public libraries near forums of rome: there libraries in porticus octaviae near theatre of marcellus, in temple of apollo palatinus, , in bibliotheca ulpiana in forum of trajan. state archives kept in structure on slope between roman forum , capitoline hill.

private libraries appeared during late republic: seneca inveighed against libraries fitted out show illiterate owners scarcely read titles in course of lifetime, displayed scrolls in bookcases (armaria) of citrus wood inlaid ivory ran right ceiling: now, bathrooms , hot water, library got standard equipment fine house (domus). libraries amenities suited villa, such cicero s @ tusculum, maecenas s several villas, or pliny younger s, described in surviving letters. @ villa of papyri @ herculaneum, apparently villa of caesar s father-in-law, greek library has been partly preserved in volcanic ash; archaeologists speculate latin library, kept separate greek one, may await discovery @ site.

remains of library of celsus @ ephesus

in west, first public libraries established under roman empire each succeeding emperor strove open 1 or many outshone of predecessor. rome’s first public library established asinius pollio. pollio lieutenant of julius caesar , 1 of ardent supporters. after military victory in illyria, pollio felt had enough fame , fortune create julius caesar had sought long time: public library increase prestige of rome , rival 1 in alexandria. pollios’s library, anla libertatis, housed in atrium libertatis, centrally located near forum romanum. first employ architectural design separated works greek , latin. subsequent roman public libraries have design. @ conclusion of rome’s civil wars following death of marcus antonius in 30 bc, emperor augustus sought reconstruct many of rome’s damaged buildings. during construction, augustus created 2 more public libraries. first library of temple of apollo on palatine, called palatine library, , second library of porticus of octaviae.

two more libraries added emperor tiberius on palatine hill , 1 vespasian after 70 ad. vespasian’s library constructed in forum of vespasian, known forum of peace, , became 1 of rome’s principal libraries. bibliotheca pacis built along traditional model , had 2 large halls rooms greek , latin libraries containing works of galen , lucius aelius. 1 of best preserved ancient ulpian library built emperor trajan. completed in 112/113, ulpian library part of trajan’s forum built on capitoline hill. trajan’s column separated greek , latin rooms faced each other. structure approximately fifty feet high peak of roof reaching seventy feet.

unlike greek libraries, readers had direct access scrolls, kept on shelves built walls of large room. reading or copying done in room itself. surviving records give few instances of lending features. of large roman baths cultural centres, built start library, two-room arrangement 1 room greek , 1 latin texts.

libraries filled parchment scrolls @ library of pergamum , on papyrus scrolls @ alexandria: export of prepared writing materials staple of commerce. there few institutional or royal libraries open educated public (such serapeum collection of library of alexandria, once largest library in ancient world), on whole collections private. in rare cases possible scholar consult library books, there seems have been no direct access stacks. in recorded cases, books kept in relatively small room staff went them readers, had consult them in adjoining hall or covered walkway. of works in catalogs of religious nature, such volumes of bible or religious service books. “in number of cases library entirely theological , liturgical, , in greater part of libraries non-ecclesiastical content did not reach 1 third of total” in addition these types of works, in libraries during time plato popular. in middle ages, aristotle more popular. additionally, there quite bit of censoring within libraries of time; many works “scientific , metaphysical” not included in majority of libraries during time period. latin authors better represented within library holdings , roman works less represented. cicero popular author along histories of sallust. additionally, virgil universally represented @ of medieval libraries of time. 1 of popular ovid, mentioned approximately twenty french catalogues , thirty german ones . surprisingly, old roman textbooks on grammar still being used @ time.

han chinese scholar liu xiang established first library classification system during han dynasty, , first book notation system. @ time, library catalogue written on scrolls of fine silk , stored in silk bags.

late antiquity

malatestiana library of cesena, first european civic library

during late antiquity , middle ages periods, there no rome of kind ruled mediterranean centuries , spawned culture produced twenty-eight public libraries in urbs roma. empire had been divided later re-united again under constantine great moved capital of roman empire in 330 ad city of byzantium renamed constantinople. roman intellectual culture flourished in ancient times undergoing transformation academic world moved laymen christian clergy. west crumbled, books , libraries flourished , flowed east toward byzantine empire. there, 4 different types of libraries established: imperial, patriarchal, monastic, , private. each had own purpose and, result, survival varied.

christianity new force in europe , many of faithful saw hellenistic culture pagan. such, many classical greek works, written on scrolls, left decay christian texts thought fit preservation in codex, progenitor of modern book. in east, however, not case many of these classical greek , roman texts copied. “…formerly paper rare , expensive, every spare page of available books pressed use. seventeenth-century edition of ignatian epistles, in mar saba, had copied onto last pages, in eighteenth century, passage allegedly letters of clement of alexandria”. old manuscripts used bind new books because of costs associated paper , because of scarcity of new paper. 

in byzantium, of work devoted preserving hellenistic thought in codex form performed in scriptoriums monks. while monastic library scriptoriums flourished throughout east , west, rules governing them same. barren , sun-lit rooms (because candles source of fire) major features of scriptorium both model of production , monastic piety. monks scribbled away hours day, interrupted meals , prayers. such production, medieval monasteries began accumulate large libraries. these libraries devoted solely education of monks , seen essential spiritual development. although of these texts produced christian in nature, many monastic leaders saw common virtues in greek classics. result, many of these greek works copied, , saved, in monastic scriptoriums.

when europe passed dark ages, byzantine scriptoriums laboriously preserved greco-roman classics. result, byzantium revived classical models of education , libraries. imperial library of constantinople important depository of ancient knowledge. constantine himself wanted such library short rule denied him ability see vision fruition. son constantius ii made dream reality , created imperial library in portico of royal palace. ruled 24 years , accelerated development of library , intellectual culture came such vast accumulation of books.

constantius ii appointed themistius, pagan philosopher , teacher, chief architect of library building program. themistius set bold program create imperial public library centerpiece of new intellectual capital of constantinople. classical authors such plato, aristotle, demosthenes, isocrates, thucydides, homer, , zeno sought. themeistius hired calligraphers , craftsman produce actual codices. appointed educators , created university-like school centered around library.

after death of constantius ii, julian apostate, bibliophile intellectual, ruled briefly less 3 years. despite this, had profound impact on imperial library , sought both christian , pagan books collections. later, emperor valens hired greek , latin scribes full-time funds royal treasury copy , repair manuscripts.

at height in 5th century, imperial library of constantinople had 120,000 volumes , largest library in europe. fire in 477 consumed entire library rebuilt burned again in 726, 1204, , in 1453 when constantinople fell ottoman turks.

patriarchal libraries fared no better, , worse, imperial library. library of patriarchate of constantinople founded during reign of constantine great in 4th century. theological library, known have employed library classification system. served repository of several ecumenical councils such council of nicea, council of ephesus, , council of chalcedon. library, employed librarian , assistants, may have been located in patriarch’s official residence before moved thomaites triclinus in 7th century. while not known actual library itself, known many of contents subject destruction religious in-fighting resulted in book burnings.

during period, small private libraries existed. many of these owned church members , aristocracy. teachers known have small personal libraries wealthy bibliophiles afford highly ornate books of period.

thus, in 6th century, @ close of classical period, great libraries of mediterranean world remained of constantinople , alexandria. cassiodorus, minister theodoric, established monastery @ vivarium in toe of italy (modern calabria) library attempted bring greek learning latin readers , preserve texts both sacred , secular future generations. unofficial librarian, cassiodorus not collected many manuscripts could, wrote treatises aimed @ instructing monks in proper uses of reading , methods copying texts accurately. in end, however, library @ vivarium dispersed , lost within century.

through origen , scholarly presbyter pamphilus of caesarea, avid collector of books of scripture, theological school of caesarea won reputation having extensive ecclesiastical library of time, containing more 30,000 manuscripts: gregory of nazianzus, basil great, jerome, , others came , studied there.

islamic lands

inside qur anic library in chinguetti, mauritania

by 8th century, first iranians , arabs had imported craft of papermaking china, paper mill @ work in baghdad in 794. paper called bagdatikos, meaning baghdad , because introduced west city. 9th century, public libraries started appear in many islamic cities. called house of knowledge or dar al- ilm. each endowed islamic sects purpose of representing tenets promoting dissemination of secular knowledge. 9th-century abbasid caliph al-mutawakkil of iraq, ordered construction of zawiyat qurra  – enclosure readers lavishly furnished , equipped . in shiraz, adhud al-daula (d. 983) set library, described medieval historian, al-muqaddasi, complex of buildings surrounded gardens lakes , waterways. buildings topped domes, , comprised upper , lower story total, according chief official, of 360 rooms.... in each department, catalogues placed on shelf... rooms furnished carpets . libraries employed translators , copyists in large numbers, in order render arabic bulk of available persian, greek, roman , sanskrit non-fiction , classics of literature.

organization strength of islamic libraries during golden age (7th -14th century). in period, books organized subject. within subject, materials further organized when libraries gained item, not last name of author or title of book. also, islamic libraries may first have implemented catalogue of owned materials. content of bookshelf recorded on paper , attached end of shelf. arab-islamic people favorable of public knowledge. public libraries popular along mosque, private, , academic libraries. instead of societies elite, such caliphs , princes, information offered everyone. of libraries said let patrons check out 200 items. these buildings made comfort of readers , information seekers. said rooms had carpets sitting , reading comfortably. also, openings such doors , windows secured closed protect patrons against cold drafts.

this flowering of islamic learning ceased centuries later when learning began declining in islamic world, after many of these libraries destroyed mongol invasions. others victim of wars , religious strife in islamic world. however, few examples of these medieval libraries, such libraries of chinguetti in west africa, remain intact , relatively unchanged. ancient library period still operational , expanding central library of astan quds razavi in iranian city of mashhad, has been operating more 6 centuries.

the contents of these islamic libraries copied christian monks in muslim/christian border areas, particularly spain , sicily. there made way other parts of christian europe. these copies joined works had been preserved directly christian monks greek , roman originals, copies western christian monks made of byzantine works. resulting conglomerate libraries basis of every modern library today.

buddhist scriptures, educational materials, , histories stored in libraries in pre-modern southeast asia. in burma, royal library called pitakataik legendarily founded king anawrahta; in 18th century, british envoy michael symes, on visiting library, wrote not improbable birman majesty may possess more numerous library potentate, banks of danube borders of china . in thailand, libraries called ho trai built throughout country, on stilts above pond prevent bugs eating @ books.

islam

qur manuscript on display @ bibliotheca alexandrina

the centrality of qurʾān prototype of written word in islam bears on role of books within intellectual tradition , educational system. impulse in islam manage reports of events, key figures , sayings , actions. thus, onus of being last people of book engendered ethos of [librarianship] on , establishment of important book repositories throughout muslim world has occurred ever since.

upon spread of islam, libraries in newly islamic lands knew brief period of expansion in middle east, north africa, sicily, , spain. christian libraries, contained books made of paper, , took codex or modern form instead of scrolls; found in mosques, private homes, , universities, timbuktu afghanistan , modern day pakistan. in aleppo, example, largest , oldest mosque library, sufiya, located @ city s grand umayyad mosque, contained large book collection of 10,000 volumes reportedly bequeathed city s famous ruler, prince sayf al-dawla. ibn al-nadim s bibliography fihrist demonstrates devotion of medieval muslim scholars books , reliable sources; contains description of thousands of books circulating in islamic world circa 1000, including entire section books doctrines of other religions. modern islamic libraries part not hold these antique books; many lost, destroyed mongols, or removed european libraries , museums during colonial period.

european middle ages

science library of upper lusatia in görlitz, germany

in middle ages, monastery libraries developed, such important 1 @ abbey of montecassino in italy. books chained shelves, reflecting fact manuscripts, created via labour-intensive process of hand copying, valuable possessions. hand-copying accomplished travelling monks made treks sources of knowledge , illumination sought learning or copy manuscripts held other monasteries own monastic libraries.

despite protectiveness, many libraries loaned books if provided security deposits (usually money or book of equal value). lending means books copied , spread. in 1212, council of paris condemned monasteries still forbade loaning books, reminding them lending 1 of chief works of mercy. libraries located in monastic cloisters , associated scriptoria collections of lecterns books chained them. shelves built above , between back-to-back lecterns beginning of bookpresses. chain attached @ fore-edge of book rather spine. book presses came arranged in carrels (perpendicular walls , therefore windows) in order maximize lighting, low bookcases in front of windows. stall system (i.e. fixed bookcases perpendicular exterior walls pierced closely spaced windows) characteristic of english institutional libraries. in european libraries, bookcases arranged parallel , against walls. wall system first introduced on large scale in spain s el escorial.

also, in eastern christianity monastery libraries kept important manuscripts. important of them ones in monasteries of mount athos orthodox christians, , library of saint catherine s monastery in sinai peninsula, egypt coptic church.

renaissance

reading room of laurentian library

from 15th century in central , northern italy, libraries of humanists , enlightened patrons provided nucleus around academy of scholars congregated in each italian city of consequence. malatesta novello, lord of cesena, founded malatestiana library. cosimo de medici in florence established own collection, formed basis of laurentian library. in rome, papal collections brought pope nicholas v, in separate greek , latin libraries, , housed pope sixtus iv, consigned bibliotheca apostolica vaticana care of librarian, humanist bartolomeo platina in february 1475.

in 16th century, sixtus v bisected bramante s cortile del belvedere cross-wing house apostolic library in suitable magnificence. 16th , 17th centuries saw other privately endowed libraries assembled in rome: vallicelliana, formed books of saint filippo neri, other distinguished libraries such of cesare baronio, biblioteca angelica founded augustinian angelo rocca, public library in counter-reformation rome; biblioteca alessandrina pope alexander vii endowed university of rome; biblioteca casanatense of cardinal girolamo casanata; , biblioteca corsiniana founded bibliophile clement xii corsini , nephew cardinal neri corsini, still housed in palazzo corsini in via della lungara. republic of venice patronized foundation of biblioteca marciana, based on library of cardinal basilios bessarion. in milan, cardinal federico borromeo founded biblioteca ambrosiana.

this trend spread outside of italy, example louis iii, elector palatine founded bibliotheca palatina of heidelberg.

these libraries don t have many volumes modern libraries. however, keep many valuable manuscripts of greek, latin, , biblical works.

tianyi chamber, founded in 1561 fan qin during ming dynasty, oldest existing library in china. in heyday, boasted collection of 70,000 volumes of antique books.

enlightenment era libraries

thomas bodley founded bodleian library in 1602 public library.

the 17th , 18th centuries include known golden age of libraries; during of more important libraries founded in europe. francis trigge chained library of st. wulfram s church, grantham, lincolnshire founded in 1598 rector of nearby welbourne. thomas bodley founded bodleian library, open whole republic of learned , norwich city library established in 1608, , british library established in 1753. chetham s library in manchester, claims oldest public library in english-speaking world, opened in 1653. other town libraries of uk include of ipswich (1612), bristol (founded in 1613 , opened in 1615), , leicester (1632). shrewsbury school opened library townsfolk. mazarine library , bibliothèque sainte-geneviève founded in paris, austrian national library in vienna, national central library in florence, prussian state library in berlin, załuski library in warsaw, , m.e. saltykov-shchedrin state public library in st petersburg.

the long room of 18th century trinity college library in trinity college, dublin, ireland

at start of 18th century, libraries becoming increasingly public , more lending libraries. 18th century saw switch closed parochial libraries lending libraries. before time, public libraries parochial in nature , libraries chained books desks. libraries not uniformly open public.

even though british museum existed @ time , contained on 50,000 books, national library not open public, or majority of population. access museum depended on passes, of there waiting period of 3 4 weeks. moreover, library not open browsing. once pass library had been issued, reader taken on tour of library. many readers complained tour short.

subscription libraries


the british museum established in 1751 , had library containing on 50,000 books.

at start of 19th century, there virtually no public libraries in sense in understand term i.e. libraries provided public funds , freely accessible all. 1 important library in britain, namely chetham s library in manchester, , freely accessible public. however, there had come being whole network of library provision on private or institutional basis.

the increase in secular literature @ time encouraged spread of lending libraries, commercial subscription libraries. many small, private book clubs evolved subscription libraries, charging high annual fees or requiring subscribing members purchase shares in libraries. materials available subscribers tended focus on particular subject areas, such biography, history, philosophy, theology, , travel, rather works of fiction, particularly novel.

unlike public library, access restricted members. of earliest such institutions founded in late 17th century england, such chetham s library in 1653, innerpeffray library in 1680, , thomas plume s library in 1704. in american colonies, library company of philadelphia started in 1731 benjamin franklin in philadelphia.

parochial libraries attached anglican parishes or nonconformist chapels in britain emerged in 18th century, , prepared way local public libraries.

the increasing production , demand fiction promoted commercial markets led rise of circulating libraries, met need subscription libraries did not fulfil. william bathoe claimed commercial venture ‘the original circulating library’, opening doors @ 2 locations in london in 1737. circulating libraries charged subscription fees users , offered serious subject matter popular novels, difficulty in distinguishing circulating subscription libraries.

biblioteka załuskich, built in warsaw in mid 18th century

subscription libraries democratic in nature; created , communities of local subscribers aimed establish permanent collections of books , reading materials, rather selling collections annually circulating libraries tended do, in order raise funds support other commercial interests. though subscription libraries founded reading societies, committees, elected subscribers, chose books collection general, rather aimed @ particular religious, political or professional group. books selected collection chosen because mutually beneficial shareholders. committee selected librarians manage circulation of materials.

in britain, there more 200 commercial circulating libraries open in 1800, more twice number of subscription , private proprietary libraries operating @ same time. many proprietors pandered fashionable clientele, making ado sort of shop offered, lush interiors, plenty of room , long hours of service. these libraries called rental collections today.

private libraries

the linen hall library in belfast 18th-century subscription library. pictured in 1888, shortly before demolition.

private subscription libraries functioned in same manner commercial subscription libraries, though varied in many important ways. 1 of popular versions of private subscription library gentleman s library. membership restricted proprietors or shareholders, , ranged dozen or 2 between 4 , 5 hundred.

the liverpool subscription library gentlemen library. in 1798, renamed athenaeum when rebuilt newsroom , coffeehouse. had entrance fee of 1 guinea , annual subscription of 5 shillings. analysis of registers first twelve years provides glimpses of middle-class reading habits in mercantile community @ period. largest , popular sections of library history, antiquities, , geography, 283 titles , 6,121 borrowings, , belles lettres, 238 titles , 3,313 borrowings.

circulating library , stationery shop, gulgong, australia 1870

private subscription libraries held greater amount of control on both membership , types of books in library. there complete elimination of cheap fiction in private societies. subscription libraries prided on respectability. highest percentage of subscribers landed proprietors, gentry, , old professions.

towards end of 18th century , in first decades of nineteenth, need books , general education made felt among social classes created beginnings of industrial revolution. late 18th century saw rise in subscription libraries intended use of tradesmen. in 1797, there established @ kendal known economical library, designed principally use , instruction of working classes. there artizans library established @ birmingham in 1799. entrance fee 3 shillings. subscription 1 shilling 6 pence per quarter. library of general literature. novels, @ first excluded, afterwards admitted on condition did not account more one-tenth of annual income.

national libraries


the lindisfarne gospels 1 of treasures made available in british museum upon establishment in 1753.

the first national libraries had origins in royal collections of sovereign or other supreme body of state.

one of first plans national library devised welsh mathematician john dee, in 1556 presented mary of england visionary plan preservation of old books, manuscripts , records , founding of national library, proposal not taken up.

the first true national library founded in 1753 part of british museum. new institution first of new kind of museum – national, belonging neither church nor king, freely open public , aiming collect everything. museum s foundations lay in of physician , naturalist sir hans sloane, gathered enviable collection of curiosities on lifetime bequeathed nation £20,000.

sloane s collection included 40,000 printed books , 7,000 manuscripts, prints , drawings. british museum act 1753 incorporated cotton library , harleian library. these joined in 1757 royal library, assembled various british monarchs.

in france, first national library bibliothèque mazarine, evolved origin royal library founded @ louvre palace charles v in 1368. appointment of jacques auguste de thou librarian in 17th century, initiated period of development made largest , richest collection of books in world. library opened public in 1692, under administration of abbé louvois, minister louvois s son. abbé louvois succeeded abbé bignon, or bignon ii termed, instituted complete reform of library s system. catalogues made, appeared 1739 1753 in 11 volumes. collections increased steadily purchase , gift outbreak of french revolution, @ time in grave danger of partial or total destruction, owing activities of antoine-augustin renouard , joseph van praet suffered no injury.

the library s collections swelled on 300,000 volumes during radical phase of french revolution when private libraries of aristocrats , clergy seized. after establishment of french first republic in september 1792, assembly declared bibliotheque du roi national property , institution renamed bibliothèque nationale. after 4 centuries of control crown, great library became property of french people.

modern public 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.”