Public Libraries The First British Public Libraries were established under the museum act in Canterbury in 1847, Warrington in 1848, and Salford in 1850. A library service started in Brighton in 1850 by a private act, which was piloted by William Ewart, who had to work hard to put this in place under stiff opposition.

The 1850 public libraries act empowered borough councils in England and Wales, with a population of 10,000 plus to spend a halfpenny rate on libraries and museums, Thus establishing a principle, though imposing severe restrictions in practice. In 1855 the rate was raised to a penny rate and the population limit was lowered to 5,000, in 1866 the population rate was removed. Norwich was the first authority to adopt the 1850 act, but did not provide a service until 1857.

Read the rest of this entry »

Public Libraries The First British Public Libraries were established under the museum act in Canterbury in 1847, Warrington in 1848, and Salford in 1850. A library service started in Brighton in 1850 by a private act, which was piloted by William Ewart, who had to work hard to put this in place under stiff opposition.

The 1850 public libraries act empowered borough councils in England and Wales, with a population of 10,000 plus to spend a halfpenny rate on libraries and museums, Thus establishing a principle, though imposing severe restrictions in practice. In 1855 the rate was raised to a penny rate and the population limit was lowered to 5,000, in 1866 the population rate was removed. Norwich was the first authority to adopt the 1850 act, but did not provide a service until 1857.

Read the rest of this entry »