In most of the European countries and in the United States libraries of
all kinds have during the last twenty years been undergoing a process of
development and improvement which has greatly altered their policy and
methods. At one time libraries were regarded almost entirely as
repositories for the storage of books to be used by the learned alone,
but now they are coming to be regarded more and more as workshops or as
places for intellectual recreation adapted for every department of life.
This is particularly to be found as the ideal in the public libraries of
the Anglo-Saxon races throughout the world.
The following details comprise the chief points in the history,
equipment and methods of the various libraries and systems noticed.
_The United Kingdom._
British Museum.
_State Libraries._--The British Museum ranks in importance before all
the great libraries of the world, and excels in the arrangement and
accessibility of its contents. The library consists of over 2,000,000
printed volumes and 56,000 manuscripts, but this large total does not
include pamphlets and other small publications which are usually counted
in other libraries. Adding these together it is probable that over
5,000,000 items are comprised in the collections. This extraordinary
opulence is principally due to the enlightened energy of Sir Anthony
Panizzi (q.v.). The number of volumes in the printed book department,
when he took the keepership in 1837, was only 240,000; and during the
nineteen years he held that office about 400,000 were added, mostly by
purchase, under his advice and direction. It was Panizzi likewise who
first seriously set to work to see that the national library reaped all
the benefits bestowed upon it by the Copyright Act.
The foundation of the British Museum dates from 1753, when effect was
given to the bequest (in exchange for £20,000 to be paid to his
executors) by Sir Hans Sloane, of his books, manuscripts, curiosities,
&c., to be held by trustees for the use of the nation. A bill was passed
through parliament for the purchase of the Sloane collections and of the
Harleian MSS., costing £10,000. To these, with the Cottonian MSS.,
acquired by the country in 1700, was added by George II., in 1757, the
royal library of the former kings of England, coupled with the
privilege, which that library had for many years enjoyed, of obtaining a
copy of every publication entered at Stationers' Hall. This addition was
of the highest importance, as it enriched the museum with the old
collections of Archbishop Cranmer, Henry prince of Wales, and other
patrons of literature, while the transfer of the privilege with regard
to the acquisition of new books, a right which has been maintained by
successive Copyright Acts, secured a large and continuous augmentation.
A lottery having been authorized to defray the expenses of purchases, as
well as for providing suitable accommodation, the museum and library
were established in Montague House, and opened to the public 15th
January 1759. In 1763 George III. presented the well-known Thomason
collection (in 2220 volumes) of books and pamphlets issued in England
between 1640 and 1662, embracing all the controversial literature which
appeared during that period. The Rev. C. M. Cracherode, one of the
trustees, bequeathed his collection of choice books in 1799; and in 1820
Sir Joseph Banks left to the nation his important library of 16,000
vols. Many other libraries have since then been incorporated in the
museum, the most valuable being George III.'s royal collection (15,000
vols. of tracts, and 65,259 vols. of printed books, including many of
the utmost rarity, which had cost the king about £130,000), which was
presented (for a pecuniary consideration, it has been said) by George
IV. in 1823, and that of the Right Honourable Thomas Grenville (20,240
vols. of rare books, all in fine condition and binding), which was
acquired under bequest in 1846. The Cracherode, Banksian, King's and
Grenville libraries are still preserved as separate collections. Other
libraries of minor note have also been absorbed in a similar way, while,
at least since the time of Panizzi, no opportunity has been neglected of
making useful purchases at all the British and Continental book
auctions.
The collection of English books is far from approaching completeness,
but, apart from the enormous number of volumes, the library contains an
extraordinary quantity of rarities. Few libraries in the United States
equal either in number or value the American books in the museum. The
collection of Slavonic literature, due to the initiative of Thomas
Watts, is also a remarkable feature. Indeed, in cosmopolitan interest
the museum is without a rival in the world, possessing as it does the
best library in any European language out of the territory in which the
language is vernacular. The Hebrew, the Chinese, and printed books in
other Oriental languages are important and represented in large numbers.
Periodical literature has not been forgotten, and the series of
newspapers is of great extent and interest. Great pains are taken by the
authorities to obtain the copies of the newspapers published in the
United Kingdom to which they are entitled by the provisions of the
Copyright Act, and upwards of 3400 are annually collected, filed and
bound.
The department of MSS. is almost equal In importance to that of the
printed books. The collection of MSS. in European languages ranges from
the 3rd century before Christ down to our own times, and includes the
_Codex Alexandrinus_ of the Bible. The old historical chronicles of
England, the charters of the Anglo-Saxon kings, and the celebrated
series of Arthurian romances are well represented; and care has been
taken to acquire on every available opportunity the imprinted works of
English writers. The famous collections of MSS. made by Sir Robert
Cotton and Robert Harley, earl of Oxford, have already been mentioned,
and from these and other sources the museum has become rich in early
Anglo-Saxon and Latin codices, some of them being marvels of skill in
calligraphy and ornamentation, such as the charters of King Edgar and
Henry I. to Hyde Abbey, which are written in gold letters; or the
Lindisfarne gospels (A.D. 700) containing the earliest extant
Anglo-Saxon version of the Latin gospels. The Burney collection of
classical MSS. furnished important additions, so that from this source
and from the collection of Arundel MSS. (transferred from the Royal
Society in 1831), the museum can boast of an early copy of the _Iliad_,
and one of the earliest known codices of the _Odyssey_. Among the
unrivalled collection of Greek papyri are the unique MSS. of several
works of ancient literature. Irish, French and Italian MSS. are well
represented. Special reference may be made to the celebrated Bedford
Hours, illuminated for the duke of Bedford, regent of France, to the
Sforza Book of Hours and to Queen Mary's Psalter. The Oriental
collection is also extremely valuable, including the library formed by
Mr Rich (consul at Baghdad in the early part of the 19th century), and a
vast quantity of Arabic, Persian and Turkish MSS.; the Chambers
collection of Sanskrit MSS.; several other collections of Indian MSS.;
and a copious library of Hebrew MSS. (including that of the great
scholar Michaelis, and codices of great age, recently brought from
Yemen). The collection of Syriac MSS., embracing the relics of the
famous library of the convent of St Mary Deipara in the Nitrian desert,
formed by the abbot Moses of Nisibis, in the 10th century, is the most
important in existence; of the large store of Abyssinian volumes many
were amassed after the campaign against King Theodore. The number of
genealogical rolls and documents relating to the local and family
history of Great Britain is very large. Altogether there are now more
than 56,000 MSS. (of which over 9000 are Oriental), besides more than
75,000 charters and rolls. There is a very large and valuable collection
of printed and manuscript music of all kinds, and it is probable that of
separate pieces there are nearly 200,000. The catalogue of music is
partly in manuscript and partly printed, and a separate printed
catalogue of the MS. music has been published. The number of maps is
also very large, and a printed catalogue has been issued.
The general catalogue of the printed books was at one time kept in MS.
in large volumes, but since 1880 the entries have gradually been
superseded by the printed titles forming part of the large
alphabetical catalogue which was completed in 1900. This important
work is arranged in the order of authors' names, with occasional
special entries at words like Bible, periodicals and biographical
names. It is being constantly supplemented and forms an invaluable
bibliographical work of reference.
The other printed catalogues of books commence with one published in 2
vols. folio (1787), followed by that of 1813-1819 in 7 vols. 8vo; the
next is that of the library of George III. (1820-1829, 5 vols. folio,
with 2 vols. 8vo, 1834), describing the geographical and topographical
collections; and then the _Bibliotheca Grenvilliana_ (1842-1872, 4
vols. 8vo). The first vol. (letter A) of a general catalogue appeared
in 1841 in a folio volume which has never been added to. The octavo
catalogue of the Hebrew books came out in 1867; that of the Sanskrit
and Pali literature is in 4to (1876); and the Chinese catalogue is
also in 4to (1877). There is a printed list of the books of reference
(1910) in the reading-room.
The printed catalogues of the MSS. are--that of the old Royal Library
(1734, 4to), which in 1910 was shortly to be superseded by a new one;
the Sloane and others hitherto undescribed (1782, 2 vols. 4to); the
Cottonian (1802, folio); the Harleian (1808, 4 vols. folio); the
Hargrave (1818, 4to); the Lansdowne (1819, folio); the Arundel (1840,
folio); the Burney (1840, folio); the Stowe (1895-1896, 4to); the
Additional, in periodical volumes since 1836; the Greek Papyri
(1893-1910); the Oriental (Arabic and Ethiopic), 5 pts., folio
(1838-1871); the Syriac (1870-1873, 3 pts., 4to); the Ethiopic (1877,
4to); the Persian (1879-1896, 4 vols. 4to); and the Spanish
(1875-1893, 4 vols. 8vo); Turkish (1888); Hebrew and Samaritan
(1900-1909, 3 vols.); Sanskrit (1903); Hindi, &c. (1899); Sinhalese
(1900). There are also catalogues of the Greek and Egyptian papyri
(1839-1846, 5 pts., folio). Many other special catalogues have been
issued, including one of the Thomason Collection of Civil War
pamphlets, Incunabula (vol. i.), Romances (MSS.), Music, Seals and
Arabic, Hebrew and other Oriental books, maps, prints and drawings.
Perhaps the most useful catalogue of all is the _Subject-index to
Modern Works_ issued in 1881-1905 (4 vols.) and compiled by Mr G. K.
Fortescue.
The _Rules for compiling catalogues in the department of printed
books_ were revised and published in 1906.
The building in which the library is housed forms part of the fine group
situated in Great Russell Street in central London, and is distinguished
by a stately circular reading-room designed by Sydney Smirke from
suggestions and sketches supplied by Sir A. Panizzi. This was begun in
1855 and opened in 1857. The room is surrounded by book stores placed in
galleries with iron floors, in which, owing to congestion of stock,
various devices have been introduced, particularly a hanging and rolling
form of auxiliary bookcase. The presses inside the reading-room,
arranged in three tiers, contain upwards of 60,000 vols., those on the
ground floor (20,000) being books of reference to which readers have
unlimited access. The accommodation for readers is comfortable and
roomy, each person having a portion of table fitted with various
conveniences. Perhaps not the least convenient arrangement here is the
presence of the staff in the centre of the room, at the service of
readers who require aid.
In order to enjoy the privilege of reading at the British Museum, the
applicant (who must be over twenty-one years of age) must obtain a
renewable ticket of admission through a recommendation from a
householder addressed to the principal librarian.
The pressure upon the space at the command of the library has been so
great that additional land at the rear and sides of the existing
buildings was purchased by the government for the further extension of
the Museum. One very important wing facing Torrington Square was
nearly completed in 1910. The Natural History Museum, South
Kensington, a department of the British Museum under separate
management, has a library of books on the natural sciences numbering
nearly 100,000 vols.
Patent Office.
Next in importance to the British Museum, and superior to it in
accessibility, is the Library of the Patent Office in Southampton
Buildings, London. This is a department of the Board of Trade, and
though primarily intended for office use and patentees, it is really a
public library freely open to anyone. The only formality required from
readers is a signature in a book kept in the entrance hall. After this
readers have complete access to the shelves. The library contains
considerably over 110,000 vols., and possesses complete sets of the
patents specifications of all countries, and a remarkable collection of
the technical and scientific periodicals of all countries. The library
was first opened in 1855, in somewhat unsuitable premises, and in 1897
it was transferred to a handsome new building.
The reading-room is provided with two galleries and the majority of
the books are open to public inspection without the need for
application forms. A printed catalogue in author-alphabetical form has
been published with supplement, and in addition, separate subject
catalogues are issued. This is one of the most complete libraries of
technology in existence, and its collection of scientific transactions
and periodicals is celebrated.
Other state libraries.
Another excellent special library is the National Art Library, founded
in 1841 and transferred to South Kensington in 1856. It contains about
half a million books, prints, drawings and photographs, and is used
mostly by the students attending the art schools, though the general
public can obtain admission on payment of sixpence per week.
A somewhat similar library on the science side is the Science Library
of the Victoria and Albert Museum, South Kensington, which was founded
in 1857. It is a general science collection and incorporates most of the
books which at one time were in the Museum of Practical Geology.
The only other state library which is open to the public is that of the
Board of Education in Whitehall, which was opened in a new building in
1908. It contains a large collection of works on educational subjects
for which a special classification has been devised and printed.
The other state libraries in London may be briefly noted as follows:
Admiralty (1700), 40,000 vols.; College of Arms, or Heralds College,
15,000 vols.; Colonial Office, c. 15,000 vols.; Foreign Office, c.
80,000 vols.; Home Office (1800) c. 10,000 vols.; House of Commons
(1818), c. 50,000 vols.; House of Lords (1834), 50,000 vols.; India
Office (1800), c. 86,000 vols.; Kew, Royal Botanic Gardens (1853),
22,000 vols.; and Royal Observatory (Greenwich), c. 20,000 vols.
Outside London the most important state library is the National
Library of Ireland, Dublin, founded in 1877 and incorporating the
library of the Royal Dublin Society. It is housed in a handsome
building (1890) and contains about 200,000 vols., classified on the
Decimal system, and catalogued in various forms. The library of the
Museum of Science and Art at Edinburgh, containing over 20,000 vols.,
was opened to the public in 1890. Practically every department of the
state has a reference library of some kind for the use of the staff,
and provision is also made for lending libraries and reading-rooms in
connexion with garrisons, naval depots and other services of the army
and navy.
No professional qualifications are required for positions in British
state libraries, most of the assistants being merely second-division
clerks who have passed the Civil Service examinations. It would be an
advantage from an administrative point of view if the professional
certificates of the Library Association were adopted by the Civil
Service Commissioners as compulsory requirements in addition to their
own examination. The official recognition of a grade of properly trained
librarians would tend to improve the methods and efficiency of the state
libraries, which are generally behind the municipal libraries in
organization and administration.
Oxford.
_University and Collegiate Libraries._--The Bodleian Library, Oxford,
though it had been preceded by various efforts towards a university
library, owed its origin to Sir Thomas Bodley (q.v.). Contributing
largely himself, and procuring contributions from others, he opened the
library with upwards of 2000 vols. in 1602. In 1610 he obtained a grant
from the Stationers' Company of a copy of every work printed in the
country, a privilege still enjoyed under the provisions of the various
copyright acts. The additions made to the library soon surpassed the
capacity of the room, and the founder proceeded to enlarge it. By his
will he left considerable property to the university for the maintenance
and increase of the library. The example set by Bodley found many noble
imitators. Amongst the chief benefactors have been Archbishop Laud, the
executors of Sir Kenelm Digby, John Selden, Sir Thomas (Lord) Fairfax,
Richard Gough, Francis Douce, Richard Rawlinson, and the Rev. Robert
Mason. The library now contains almost 800,000 printed vols., and about
41,000 manuscripts. But the number of volumes, as bound up, conveys a
very inadequate idea of the size or value of the collection. In the
department of Oriental manuscripts it is perhaps superior to any other
European library; and it is exceedingly rich in other manuscript
treasures. It possesses a splendid series of Greek and Latin _editiones
principes_ and of the earliest productions of English presses. Its
historical manuscripts contain most valuable materials for the general
and literary history of the country.
The last general catalogue of the printed books was printed in 4 vols.
folio (1843-1851). In 1859 it was decided to prepare a new manuscript
catalogue on the plan of that then in use at the British Museum, and
this has been completed in duplicate. In 1910 it was being amended
with a view to printing. It is an alphabetical author-catalogue; and
the Bodleian, like the British Museum, has no complete subject-index.
A slip-catalogue on subjects was, however, in course of preparation in
1910, and there are classified hand-lists of accessions since 1883.
There are also printed catalogues of the books belonging to several of
the separate collections. The MSS. are in general catalogued according
to the collections to which they belong, and they are all indexed. A
number of the catalogues of manuscripts have been printed.
In 1860 the beautiful Oxford building known as the "Radcliffe Library,"
now called the "Radcliffe Camera," was offered to the curators of the
Bodleian by the Radcliffe trustees. The Radcliffe Library was founded by
the famous physician Dr John Radcliffe, who died in 1714, and
bequeathed, besides a permanent endowment of £350 a year, the sum of
£40,000 for a building. The library was opened in 1749. Many years ago
the trustees resolved to confine their purchases of books to works on
medicine and natural science. When the university museum and
laboratories were built in 1860, the trustees allowed the books to be
transferred to the museum. It is used as a storehouse for the more
modern books, and it also serves as a reading-room. It is the only room
open after the hour when the older building is closed owing to the rule
as to the exclusion of artificial light. In 1889 the gallery of the
Radcliffe Camera was opened as an addition to the reading-room.
A _Staff Kalendar_ has been issued since 1902, which with a
_Supplement_ contains a complete list of cataloguing rules, routine
work of the libraries and staff, and useful information of many kinds
concerning the library methods.
The Bodleian Library is open by right to all graduate members of the
university, and to others upon producing a satisfactory recommendation.
No books are allowed to be sent out of the library except by special
leave of the curators and convocation of the university. The
administration and control of the library are committed to a librarian
and board of thirteen curators. The permanent endowment is comparatively
small; the ordinary expenditure, chiefly defrayed from the university
chest, is about £10,000. Within recent years the use of wheeling metal
bookcases has been greatly extended, and a large repository has been
arranged for economical book storage underground.
The Taylor Institution is due to the benefaction of Sir Robert Taylor,
an architect, who died in 1788, leaving his property to found an
establishment for the teaching of modern languages. The library was
established in 1848, and is devoted to the literature of the modern
European languages. It contains a fair collection of works on European
philology, with a special Dante collection, about 1000 Mazarinades and
400 Luther pamphlets. The Finch collection, left to the university in
1830, is also kept with the Taylor Library. Books are lent out to
members of the university and to others on a proper introduction. The
endowment affords an income of £800 to £1000 for library purposes.
The libraries of the several colleges vary considerably in extent and
character, although, owing chiefly to limited funds, the changes and
growth of all are insignificant. That of All Souls was established in
1443 by Archbishop Chichele, and enlarged in 1710 by the munificent
bequest of Christopher Codrington. It devotes special attention to
jurisprudence, of which it has a large collection. It possesses 40,000
printed volumes and 300 MSS., and fills a splendid hall 200 ft. long.
The library of Brasenose College has a special endowment fund, so that
it has, for a college library, the unusually large income of £200. The
library of Christ Church is rich in divinity and topography. It
embraces the valuable library bequeathed by Charles Boyle, 4th earl of
Orrery, amounting to 10,000 volumes, the books and MSS. of Archbishop
Wake, and the Morris collection of Oriental books. The building was
finished in 1761, and closely resembles the basilica of Antoninus at
Rome, now the Dogana. Corpus possesses a fine collection of Aldines,
many of them presented by its founder, Bishop Fox, and a collection of
17th-century tracts catalogued by Mr Edwards, with about 400 MSS.
Exeter College Library has 25,000 volumes, with special collections of
classical dissertations and English theological and political tracts.
The library of Jesus College has few books of later date than the
early part of the last century. Many of them are from the bequest of
Sir Leoline Jenkins, who built the existing library. There are also
some valuable Welsh MSS. The library of Keble College consists largely
of theology, including the MSS. of many of Keble's works. The library
of Magdalen College has about 22,500 volumes (including many volumes
of pamphlets) and 250 MSS. It has scientific and topographical
collections. The library of Merton College has of late devoted itself
to foreign modern history. New College Library has about 17,000
printed volumes and about 350 MSS., several of which were presented by
its founder, William of Wykeham. Oriel College Library, besides its
other possessions, has a special collection of books on comparative
philology and mythology, with a printed catalogue. The fine library of
Queen's College is strong in theology, in English and modern European
history, and in English county histories. St John's College Library is
largely composed of the literature of theology and jurisprudence
before 1750, and possesses a collection of medical books of the 16th
and 17th centuries. The newer half of the library building was
erected by Inigo Jones at the expense of Laud, who also gave many
printed and manuscript books. The room used as a library at Trinity
College formed part of Durham College, the library of which was
established by Richard of Bury. Wadham College Library includes a
collection of botanical books bequeathed by Richard Warner in 1775 and
a collection of books, relating chiefly to the Spanish Reformers,
presented by the executors of Benjamin Wiffen. Worcester College
Library has of late specially devoted itself to classical archaeology.
It is also rich in old plays.
The college libraries as a rule have not been used to the extent they
deserve, and a good deal must be done before they can be said to be as
useful and efficient as they might be.
Cambridge.
The history of the University Library at Cambridge dates from the
earlier part of the 15th century. Two early lists of its contents are
preserved, the first embracing 52 vols. dating from about 1425, the
second a shelf-list, apparently of 330 vols., drawn up by the outgoing
proctors in 1473. Its first great benefactor was Thomas Scott of
Rotherham, archbishop of York, who erected in 1475 the building in which
the library continued until 1755. He also gave more than 200 books and
manuscripts to the library, some of which still remain. The library
received other benefactions, but nevertheless appeared "but mean" to
John Evelyn when he visited Cambridge in 1654. In 1666 Tobias Rustat
presented a sum of money to be invested to buy the choicest and most
useful books. In 1715 George I. presented the library of Bishop Moore,
which was very rich in early English printed books, forming over 30,000
vols. of printed books and manuscripts. The funds bequeathed by William
Worts and John Manistre, together with that of Rustat, produce at
present about £1500 a year. The share of university dues appropriated to
library purposes amounts to £3000 a year. In addition the library is
entitled to new books under the Copyright Acts. The number of printed
volumes in the library cannot be exactly stated, as no recent
calculation on the subject exists. It has been estimated at half a
million. It includes a fine series of _editiones principes_ of the
classics and of the early productions of the English press. The MSS.
number over 6000, in which are included a considerable number of
adversaria or printed books with MS. notes, which form a leading feature
in the collection. The most famous of the MSS. is the celebrated copy of
the four gospels and the Acts of the Apostles, which is known as _Codex
Bezae_, and which was presented to the university by that Reformer.
A catalogue of the MSS. has been published in 4 vols. (1856-1861), and
this has been followed up by the publication of a number of separate
catalogues of Persian, Syriac, Hebrew, Chinese, &c., MSS. There is no
published catalogue of the books, although the catalogue is in print,
the accessions being printed and cut up and arranged in volumes. A
catalogue of English books before 1640 is in course of publication.
The regulations of the library with regard to the lending of books are
very liberal, as many as ten volumes being allowed out to one borrower
at the same time. The annual income is about £7000.
There is a library attached to the Fitzwilliam Museum, bequeathed to the
university in 1816. It consists of the entire library of Lord
Fitzwilliam, with the addition of an archaeological library bought from
the executors of Colonel Leake, and a small number of works, chiefly on
the history of art, since added by purchase or bequest. It contains a
collection of engravings of old masters, a collection of music, printed
and MS., and a collection of illuminated MSS., chiefly French and
Flemish, of the 14th to 16th centuries. The books are not allowed to be
taken out. Catalogues and reprints of some of the music and other
collections have been published.
The library of Trinity College, which is contained in a magnificent
hall built by Sir Christopher Wren, has about 90,000 printed and 1918
MS. vols., and is especially strong in theology, classics and
bibliography. It owes to numerous gifts and bequests the possession of
a great number of rare books and manuscripts. Amongst these special
collections are the Capell collection of early dramatic and especially
Shakespearian literature, the collection of German theology and
philosophy bequeathed by Archdeacon Hare, and the Grylls bequest in
1863 of 9600 vols., including many early printed books. There are
printed catalogues of the Sanskrit and other Oriental MSS. by Dr
Aufrecht and Professor Palmer, and of the incunabula by the late
librarian, Mr Sinker. The library is open to all members of the
college, and the privilege of using it is liberally extended to
properly accredited students. One of the most interesting libraries
is that of Trinity Hall, in which the original bookcases and benches
are preserved, and many books are seen chained to the cases, as used
formerly to be the practice.
None of the other college libraries rivals Trinity in the number of
books. The library of Christ's College received its first books from
the foundress. Clare College Library includes a number of Italian and
Spanish plays of the end of the 16th century left by George Ruggle.
The library of Corpus Christi College first became notable through the
bequest of books and MSS. made by Archbishop Parker in 1575. The
printed books are less than 5000 in number, and the additions now made
are chiefly in such branches as throw light on the extremely valuable
collection of ancient MSS., which attracts scholars from all parts of
Europe. There is a printed catalogue of these MSS. Gonville and Caius
College Library is of early foundation. A catalogue of the MSS. was
printed in 1849, with pictorial illustrations, and a list of the
incunabula in 1850. The printed books of King's College includes the
fine collection bequeathed by Jacob Bryant in 1804. The MSS. are
almost wholly Oriental, chiefly Persian and Arabic, and a catalogue of
them has been printed. Magdalene College possesses the curious library
formed by Pepys and bequeathed by him to the college, together with
his collections of prints and drawings and of rare British portraits.
It is remarkable for its treasures of popular literature and English
ballads, as well as for the Scottish manuscript poetry collected by
Sir Richard Maitland. The books are kept in Pepys's own cases, and
remain just as he arranged them himself. The library Of Peterhouse is
the oldest library in Cambridge, and possesses a catalogue of some 600
or 700 books dating from 1418, in which year it was completed. It is
chiefly theological, though it possesses a valuable collection of
modern works on geology and natural science, and a unique collection
of MS. music. Queen's College Library contains about 30,000 vols.
mainly in theology, classics and Semitic literature, and has a printed
class-catalogue. The library of St John's College is rich in early
printed books, and possesses a large collection of English historical
tracts. Of the MSS. and rare books there is a printed catalogue.
London.
The library of the university of London, founded in 1837, has over
60,000 vols, and includes the Goldsmith Library of economic literature,
numbering 30,000 vols. Other collections are De Morgan's collection of
mathematical books, Grote's classical library, &c. There is a printed
catalogue of 1897, with supplements. Since its removal to South
Kensington, this library has been greatly improved and extended.
University College Library, Gower Street, established in 1829, has close
upon 120,000 vols. made up chiefly of separate collections which have
been acquired from time to time. Many of these collections overlap, and
much duplicating results, leading to congestion. These collections
include Jeremy Bentham's library, Morrison's Chinese library, Barlow's
Dante library, collections of law, mathematical, Icelandic, theological,
art, oriental and other books, some of them of great value.
King's College Library, founded in 1828, has over 30,000 vols. chiefly
of a scientific character. In close association with the university of
London is the London School of Economics and Political Science in Clare
Market, in which is housed the British Library of Political Science with
50,000 vols. and a large number of official reports and pamphlets.
The collegiate library at Dulwich dates from 1619, and a list of its
earliest accessions, in the handwriting of the founder, may still be
seen. There are now about 17,000 vols. of miscellaneous works of the
17th and 18th centuries, with a few rare books. A catalogue of them was
printed in 1880; and one describing the MSS. (567) and the muniments
(606) was issued during the succeeding year. The last two classes are
very important, and include the well-known "Alleyn Papers" and the
theatrical diary of Philip Henslow. Sion College is a gild of the
parochial clergy of the city and suburbs of London, and the library was
founded in 1629 for their use; laymen may also read (but not borrow) the
books when recommended by some beneficed metropolitan clergyman. The
library is especially rich in liturgies, Port-Royal authors, pamphlets,
&c., and contains about 100,000 vols. classified on a modification of
the Decimal system. The copyright privilege was commuted in 1835 for an
annual sum of £363, 15s. 2d. The present building was opened in 1886 and
is one of the striking buildings of the Victoria Embankment.
Most of the London collegiate or teaching institutions have libraries
attached to them, and it will only be necessary to mention a few of
the more important to get an idea of their variety: Baptist College
(1810), 13,000 vols.; Bedford College (for women), 17,000 vols.;
Birkbeck College (1823), 12,000 vols.; Congregational Library
(1832-1893), 14,000 vols.; the Royal College of Music, containing the
library of the defunct Sacred Harmonic Society; Royal Naval College
(Greenwich, 1873), 7000 vols.; St Bartholomew's Hospital (1422),
15,000 vols.; St Paul's School (1509), 10,000 vols.; the Working Men's
College (1854), 5000 vols.; and all the Polytechnic schools in the
Metropolitan area.
English provinces.
The university library of Durham (1832) contains about 35,000 vols., and
all the modern English universities--Birmingham, Mason University
College (1880), 27,000 vols.; Leeds, Liverpool (1882), 56,000 vols.;
Manchester, Victoria University, which absorbed Owens College (1851),
115,000 vols.; Newcastle-upon-Tyne; Sheffield (1907), &c.--have
collections of books. The libraries in connexion with theological
colleges and public schools throughout England are often quite
extensive, and reference may be made to Eton College (1441), 25,000
vols.; Haileybury (1862), 12,000 vols.; Harrow (Vaughan Library), 12,000
vols.; Mill Hill; Oscott College, Erdington (1838), 36,000 vols.; Rugby
(1878), 8000 vols.; Stonyhurst College (1794), c. 40,000 vols., &c. The
new building for the university of Wales at Bangor has ample
accommodation for an adequate library, and the University College at
Aberystwith is also equipped with a library.
Scotland.
The origin of the University Library of Edinburgh is to be found in a
bequest of his books of theology and law made to the town in 1580 by
Clement Little, advocate. This was two years before the foundation of
the university, and in 1584 the town council caused the collection to be
removed to the college, of which they were the patrons. As it was the
only library in the town, it continued to grow and received many
benefactions, so that in 1615 it became necessary to erect a library
building. Stimulated perhaps by the example of Bodley at Oxford,
Drummond of Hawthornden made a large donation of books, of which he
printed a catalogue in 1627, and circulated an appeal for assistance
from others. In 1678 the library received a bequest of 2000 vols. from
the Rev. James Nairne. In 1709 the library became entitled to the copy
privilege, which has since been commuted for a payment of £575 per
annum. In 1831 the books were removed to the present library buildings,
for which a parliamentary grant had been obtained. The main library hall
(190 ft. in length) is one of the most splendid apartments in Scotland.
One of the rooms is set apart as a memorial to General Reid, by whose
benefaction the library has greatly benefited. Amongst the more recent
accessions have been the Halliwell-Phillips Shakespeare collection, the
Laing collection of Scottish MSS., the Baillie collection of Oriental
MSS. (some of which are of great value), and the Hodgson collection of
works on political economy. The library now consists of about 210,000
vols. of printed books with over 2000 MSS. Recently it has been found
necessary to make considerable additions to the shelving. The library of
the university of Glasgow dates from the 15th century, and numbers
George Buchanan and many other distinguished men amongst its early
benefactors. A classified subject-catalogue has been printed, and there
is also a printed dictionary catalogue. The annual accessions are about
1500, and the commutation-grant £707. Connected with the university,
which is trustee for the public, is the library of the Hunterian Museum,
formed by the eminent anatomist Dr William Hunter. It is a collection of
great bibliographical interest, as it is rich in MSS. and in fine
specimens of early printing, especially in Greek and Latin classics.
There are about 200,000 vols. in the library.
The first mention of a library at St Andrews is as early as 1456. The
three colleges were provided with libraries of their own about the
time of their foundation--St Salvator's 1455, St Leonard's 1512, St
Mary's 1537. The University Library was established about 1610 by King
James VI., and in the course of the 18th century the college libraries
were merged in it. The copyright privilege was commuted in 1837. The
collection numbers 120,000 vols. exclusive of pamphlets, with about
200 MSS., chiefly of local interest. A library is supposed to have
existed at Aberdeen since the foundation of King's College by Bishop
Elphinstone in 1494. The present collection combines the libraries of
King's College and Marischal College, now incorporated in the
university. The latter had its origin in a collection of books formed
by the town authorities at the time of the Reformation, and for some
time kept in one of the churches. The library has benefited by the
Melvin bequest, chiefly of classical books, and those of Henderson and
Wilson, and contains some very valuable books. The general library is
located in Old Aberdeen in a room of imposing design, while the
medical and law books are in the New Town in Marischal College. The
library has a grant, in lieu of the copyright privilege, of £320. The
annual income of the library is £2500, and it contains over 180,000
vols. The books are classified on a modification of the decimal
system, and there are printed author and MS. subject-catalogues. By
arrangement with the municipal library authority, books are lent to
non-students. All the technical schools, public schools, and
theological and other colleges in Scotland are well equipped with
libraries as the following list will show:--Aberdeen: Free Church
College, 17,000 vols. Edinburgh: Fettes College, c. 5000 vols.;
Heriot's Hospital (1762), c. 5000 vols.; New College (1843), 50,000
vols. Glasgow: Anderson's College (containing the valuable Euing music
library), 16,000 vols.; United Free Church Theological College, 33,000
vols. Trinity College, Glenalmond, 5000 vols.
Ireland.
The establishment of the library of Trinity College, Dublin, is
contemporaneous with that of the Bodleian at Oxford, and it is an
interesting circumstance that, when Challoner and Ussher (afterwards the
archbishop) were in London purchasing books to form the library, they
met Bodley there, and entered into friendly intercourse and co-operation
with him to procure the choicest and best books. The commission was
given to Ussher and Challoner as trustees of the singular donation which
laid the foundation of the library. In the year 1601 the English army
determined to commemorate their victory over the Spanish troops at
Kinsale by some permanent monument. Accordingly they subscribed the sum
of £1800 to establish a library in the university of Dublin. For
Ussher's own collection, consisting of 10,000 vols. and many valuable
MSS., the college was also indebted to military generosity. On his death
in 1655 the officers and soldiers of the English army then in Ireland
purchased the whole collection for £22,000 with the design of presenting
it to the college. Cromwell, however, interfered, alleging that he
proposed to found a new college, where the books might more conveniently
be preserved. They were deposited therefore in Dublin Castle, and the
college only obtained them after the Restoration. In 1674 Sir Jerome
Alexander left his law books with some valuable MSS. to the college. In
1726 Dr Palliser, archbishop of Cashel, bequeathed over 4000 vols. to
the library; and ten years later Dr Gilbert gave the library nearly
13,000 vols. which he had himself collected and arranged. In 1745 the
library received a valuable collection of MSS. as a bequest from Dr
Stearne. In 1802 the collection formed by the pensionary Fagel, which
had been removed to England on the French invasion of Holland, was
acquired for £10,000. It consisted of over 20,000 vols. In 1805 Mr Quin
bequeathed a choice collection of classical and Italian books. There
have been many other smaller donations, in addition to which the library
is continually increased by the books received under the Copyright Act.
The library now contains 300,000 vols. and over 2000 MSS. There is no
permanent endowment, and purchases are made by grants from the board.
The whole collections are contained in one building, erected in 1732,
consisting of eight rooms. The great library hall is a magnificent
apartment over 200 ft. long. A new reading-room was opened in 1848. A
catalogue of the books acquired before 1872 has been printed (1887).
There is a printed catalogue of the MSS. and Incunabula (1890).
Graduates of Dublin, Oxford, and Cambridge are admitted to read
permanently, and temporary admission is granted by the board to any fit
person who makes application.
The library of Queen's College, Belfast (1849), contains about 60,000
vols., while Queen's College, Cork (1849), has over 32,000 vols. St
Patrick's College, Maynooth (1795), has about 60,000, and other
collegiate libraries are well supplied with books.
Cathedral and church libraries.
With one or two exceptions, libraries are attached to the cathedrals of
England and Wales. Though they are of course intended for the use of the
cathedral or diocesan clergy, they are in most cases open to any
respectable person who may be properly introduced. They seldom contain
very much modern literature, chiefly consisting of older theology, with
more or less addition of classical and historical literature. They vary
in extent from a few volumes, as at Llandaff or St David's, to 20,000
vols., as at Durham. Together they possess nearly 150,000 printed and
manuscript vols. As a rule, very little is spent upon them, and they are
very little used. The chamber in the old cloisters, in which the library
of the dean and chapter of Westminster is preserved, is well known from
the charming description by Washington Irving in his _Sketch Book_.
There are about 14,000 vols., mostly of old theology and history,
including many rare Bibles and other valuable books. The library of the
dean and chapter of St Paul's Cathedral was founded in very early times,
and now numbers some 22,000 vols. and pamphlets, mainly theological,
with a good collection of early Bibles and Testaments, Paul's Cross
Sermons, and works connected with the cathedral.
Perhaps the best library of Catholic theology in London is that of the
Oratory at South Kensington, established in 1849, and now containing
nearly 35,000 vols. The Catholic Cathedral of Westminster, of recent
foundation, contains about 22,000 vols. The archiepiscopal library at
Lambeth was founded in 1610 by Archbishop Bancroft, and has been
enriched by the gifts of Laud, Tenison, Manners Sutton, and others of
his successors; it is now lodged in the noble hall built by Juxon. The
treasures consist of the illuminated MSS., and a rich store of early
printed books; of the latter two catalogues have been issued by Samuel
Roffey Maitland (1792-1866). The MSS. are described in H. J. Todd's
catalogue, 1812. The total number of printed books and manuscripts is
nearly 45,000.
The library of Christ Church, Oxford, belongs alike to the college and
the cathedral, but will be more properly described as a college
library. The cathedral library of Durham dates from monastic times,
and possesses many of the books which belonged to the monastery. These
were added to by Dean Sudbury, the second founder of the library, and
Bishop Cosin. The collection has been considerably increased in more
modern times, and now contains 15,000 vols. It is especially rich in
MSS., some of which are of great beauty and value; a catalogue of them
was printed in 1825. The library has good topographical and
entomological collections. The chapter spend £370 per annum in
salaries and in books. The library at York numbers about 11,000 vols.,
and has been very liberally thrown open to the public. It is kept in
the former chapel of the archbishop's palace, and has many valuable
MSS. and early printed books. The foundation of the library at
Canterbury dates probably from the Roman mission to England, A.D. 596,
although the library does not retain any of the books then brought
over, or even of the books said to have been sent by Pope Gregory to
the first archbishop in 601. It is recorded that among Lanfranc's
buildings was a new library, and Becket is said to have collected
books abroad to present to the library. The collection now numbers
about 9900 printed books, with about 110 MS. vols., and between 6000
and 7000 documents. A catalogue was printed in 1802. The present
building was erected in 1867 on part of the site of the monastic
dormitory. The library at Lincoln contains 7400 vols., of which a
catalogue was printed in 1859. It possesses a fine collection of
political tracts of the age of Elizabeth, James and Charles I. The
present collection at Chichester dates from the Restoration only; that
at Ely is rich in books and tracts relating to the non-jurors. The
library at Exeter possesses many Saxon MSS. of extreme interest, one
of them being the gift of Leofric, the first bishop. The treasures of
Lichfield were destroyed by the Puritans during the civil war, and the
existing library is of later formation. Frances, duchess of Somerset,
bequeathed to it nearly 1000 vols., including the famous Evangeliary
of St Chad. The collection at Norwich is chiefly modern, and was
presented by Dr Sayers. The earlier library at Peterborough having
almost wholly perished in the civil war, Bishop White Kennett became
the virtual founder of the present collection. Salisbury is rich in
incunabula, and a catalogue has recently been printed. Winchester
Cathedral Library is mainly the bequest of Bishop Morley in the 17th
century. The library at Bristol, then numbering 6000 or 7000 vols.,
was burnt and pillaged by the mob in the riots of 1831. Only about
1000 vols. were saved, many of which were recovered, but few additions
have been made to them. At Chester in 1691 Dean Arderne bequeathed his
books and part of his estate "as the beginning of a public library for
the clergy and city." The library of Hereford is a good specimen of an
old monastic library; the books are placed in the Lady Chapel, and
about 230 choice MSS. are chained to oaken desks. The books are ranged
with the edges outwards upon open shelves, to which they are attached
by chains and bars. Another most interesting "chained" library is that
at Wimborne Minster, Dorset, which contains about 280 books in their
original condition. The four Welsh cathedrals were supplied with
libraries by a deed of settlement in 1709. The largest of them, that
of St Asaph, has about 1750 vols. The Bibliotheca Leightoniana, or
Leightonian Library, founded by Archbishop Leighton in 1684 in
Dunblane Cathedral, Scotland, contains about 2000 vols., and is the
only cathedral library in Scotland of any historic interest. The
library of St Benedict's Abbey, Fort Augustus (1878) with 20,000 vols.
is an example of a recent foundation. The public library in St
Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin, sometimes called Marsh's Library after
its founder, was established about 1694 by Archbishop Marsh, was
incorporated by act of parliament in 1707, and endowed by its founder
at his death in 1713. The building was erected by the founder, and the
original oak fittings still remain. There is no room for additions,
and a large collection of modern books was refused a few years ago on
that account. The endowment is too small to allow of purchases from
the funds of the library, so that it still retains the character of a
17th-century library. The books are chiefly theological, and in the
learned languages; they include the libraries of Bishop Stillingfleet
and of Elias Bouhereau, a French refugee, who was the first librarian.
Endowed libraries.
Endowed libraries may be defined as those which have been directly
established by the bequests of individuals or corporate bodies,
excluding those which have been assisted by donors or are merely named
after them. As compared with the United States, the endowed libraries of
Britain are few in number, although several are of great importance.
London possesses very few libraries which have been endowed by
individual donors. The principal are the Bishopsgate Institute (1891),
which was founded out of sundry City of London charities, and now
contains about 44,000 vols., and is celebrated for a fine collection of
local prints, drawings and maps. It is open free to persons in the east
part of the City. The Cripplegate Institute (1896) in Golden Lane, also
founded out of charity moneys, has three branches--St Bride's Foundation
Institute (18,000 vols.), jointly; Queen Street, Cheapside, Branch (8000
vols.); and St Luke's Institute (5000 vols.)--and contains 28,000 vols.
Lectures and other entertainments are features of both these libraries.
Dr Williams' library was founded by the will of an eminent Presbyterian
divine of that name; it was opened in 1729. The books (50,000) are
housed in a new building in Gordon Square, completed in 1873. Theology
of all schools of opinion is represented, and there are special
collections of theosophical books and MSS., the works of Boehme, Law,
and other mystical writers. The MSS. include the original minutes of the
Westminster Assembly, letters and treatises of Richard Baxter, &c. The
St Bride Foundation Technical Reference Library (1895) is a very
complete collection of books and specimens of printing and the allied
arts, including the libraries of William Blades and Talbot Baines Reed,
and a number of more modern books presented by Mr Passmore Edwards. It
contains about 18,000 vols., and is open to all persons interested in
printing, lithography, &c., and also to the general public.
The most notable of the English provincial endowed libraries are those
established in Manchester. The fine old library established by
Humphrey Chetham in 1653 is still housed in the old collegiate
buildings where Sir Walter Raleigh was once entertained by Dr Dee. The
collection consists largely of older literature, and numbers about
60,000 volumes and MSS. It is freely open to the public, and may be
said to have been the first free library in England. Catalogues in
broad classified form were issued in 1791-1863, and there have been
supplements since. A remarkable instance of a great library
established by private munificence is that of the John Rylands Library
at Manchester, which was founded, erected and endowed by Mrs E. A.
Rylands in memory of her husband, and is contained in a magnificent
building designed by Basil Champneys and opened in 1899. The
collection was formed largely on the famous Althorp Library, made by
Earl Spencer (40,000 vols.), one of the most remarkable collections of
early printed books and rare Bibles ever brought together. The present
number of volumes is about 115,000, of which over 2500 are incunabula.
A short-title catalogue, 3 vols. 4to., and one of English books, have
been published, and a manuscript dictionary catalogue has been
provided. Several valuable special catalogues and descriptive lists
have been issued, one of the latest being a special catalogue of the
architectural works contained in all the Manchester libraries.
The William Salt Library, a special Staffordshire library with
numerous MSS. and other collections, formed to bring together
materials for a history of Staffordshire, was opened to the public in
1874 in the town of Stafford. It contains nearly 20,000 books, prints
and other items.
Other endowed libraries in the English provinces which deserve mention
are the Bingham Public Library (1905) at Cirencester; the Guille-Allès
Library (1856), Guernsey; St Deiniol's Library (1894), Hawarden,
founded by William Ewart Gladstone, the great statesman; and the
Shakespeare Memorial Library and theatre (1879) at
Stratford-upon-Avon.
The most important endowed library in Scotland is the Mitchell Library
in Glasgow, founded by Stephen Mitchell, tobacco-manufacturer (1874),
who left £70,000 for the purpose. It was opened in 1877 in temporary
premises, and after various changes will soon be transferred to a very
fine new building specially erected. It contains some very valuable
special collections, among which may be mentioned Scottish poetry,
Burns' works, Glasgow books and printing, and a choice collection of
fine books on art and other subjects given by Robert Jeffrey. It
contains nearly 200,000 vols. and is the reference library for the
Glasgow public library system. Another older Glasgow public library,
also founded by a tobacco merchant, is Stirling's and Glasgow Public
Library (1791), which was endowed by Walter Stirling, and amalgamated
with an existing subscription library. It contains 60,000 vols. and is
free to reference readers, but a subscription is charged for borrowing
privileges. Still another Glasgow institution is Baillie's Institution
Free Reference Library, established under the bequest of George
Baillie (1863), but not opened till 1887. It contains over 24,000
vols. Other Scottish endowed libraries are the Anderson Library,
Woodside, Aberdeen (1883); the Taylor Free Library, Crieff (1890); the
Elder Free Library, Govan (1900); and the Chambers Institution,
Peebles (1859), founded by William Chambers, the well-known publisher.
The public library of Armagh, Ireland, was founded by Lord Primate
Robinson in 1770, who gave a considerable number of books and an
endowment. The books are freely available, either on the spot, or by
loan on deposit of double the value of the work applied for.
Libraries of societies and learned bodies.
There are many libraries belonging to societies devoted to the study of
every kind of subject, and it is only necessary to mention a few of the
principal. Full particulars of most of them will be found in Reginald A.
Rye's _Libraries of London: a Guide for Students_ (1910), a work of
accuracy and value.
Of the law libraries, that at Lincoln's Inn, London, is the oldest and
the largest. It dates from 1497, when John Nethersale, a member of the
society, made a bequest of forty marks, part of which was to be
devoted to the building of a library for the benefit of the students
of the laws of England. A catalogue of the printed books was published
in 1859 and since supplemented, and the MSS. were catalogued by the
Rev. Joseph Hunter in 1837. There are about 72,000 vols. The library
of the Inner Temple is known to have existed in 1540. In the middle of
the 17th century it received a considerable benefaction from William
Petyt, the well-known keeper of the Tower records. There are now about
60,000 vols., including the pamphlets collected by John Adolphus for
his _History of England_, books on crime and prisons brought together
by Mr Crawford, and a selection of works on jurisprudence made by John
Austin. A library in connexion with the Middle Temple was in existence
during the reign of Henry VIII., but the date usually assigned to its
foundation is 1641, when Robert Ashley left his books to the inn of
which he had been a member. There are now about 50,000 vols. Gray's
Inn Library (21,000 vols.) was perhaps established before 1555. In
1669 was made the first catalogue of the books, and the next, still
extant, in 1689. The Law Society (1828) has a good law and general
library (50,000 vols.), including the best collection of private acts
of parliament in England. The library of the Royal Society (1667), now
housed in Burlington House, contains over 80,000 vols., of which many
are the transactions and other publications of scientific bodies. The
Royal Institution of Great Britain (1803) possesses a reference
library of 60,000 vols. Some of its early catalogues were in
classified form. The London Institution (1805), in the City, is a
general library of reference and lending books open to members only.
There are about 150,000 vols., and lectures are given in connexion
with the institution. The Royal Society of Arts has a library
numbering about 11,000 vols., chiefly the publications of other
learned bodies.
The best library of archaeology and kindred subjects is that of the
Society of Antiquaries, Burlington House, consisting of nearly 40,000
printed vols. and many MSS. It is rich in early printed books,
topography, heraldry and numismatics, and includes a curious
collection of books on pageants presented by Mr Fairholt, and the
remarkable assemblage of lexicographical works formerly belonging to
Albert Way.
Of libraries devoted to the natural sciences may be mentioned those of
the Geological Society of London (1807), with over 30,000 vols. and
maps; the Linnean Society (1788), 35,000 vols.; the Zoological Society
(1829), about 31,000 vols. Of libraries associated with medicine there
are those of the Royal Society of Medicine (1907), incorporating a
number of medical societies, over 95,000 vols., about to be housed in
a new building; the Royal College of Physicians (1525), 26,000 vols.;
the British Medical Association, 20,000 vols.; the Royal College of
Surgeons of England (1800), 60,000 vols., with a MS. catalogue on
cards; the Chemical Society (1841), over 25,000 vols.; and the
Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain (1841), about 15,000 vols.
Other important London society libraries are--the Royal Geographical
Society (1830), 50,000 vols., and numerous maps in a special room,
open to the public for reference; the Royal Colonial Institute (1868),
70,000 vols. of British colonial literature; the Royal United Service
Institution, Whitehall (1831), has 32,000 works on military and naval
subjects and a museum. Large and interesting collections of books are
owned by the British and Foreign Bible Society, the Institution of
Civil Engineers, the Institution of Electrical Engineers (containing
the Ronalds Library), the Royal Academy, the Royal Institute of
British Architects, and practically every other working society in
London.
The English provincial libraries connected with societies or learned
bodies are mostly attached to those concerned with law, medicine, and
various antiquarian, literary and scientific subjects. The
headquarters of most national societies being in London to some extent
accounts for the comparatively small number of these special libraries
in the provinces.
The most important libraries of this description outside London are
situated in Scotland and Ireland, and one at least is practically a
national collection.
The principal library in Scotland is that of the Faculty of Advocates
at Edinburgh, who in 1680 appointed a committee of their number, which
reported that "it was fitt that, seeing if the recusants could be made
pay their entire money, there wold be betwixt three thousand and four
thousand pounds in cash; that the same be imployed on the best and
fynest lawers and other law bookes, conforme to a catalogue to be
condescended upon by the Facultie, that the samen may be a fonde for
ane Bibliothecque whereto many lawers and others may leave their
books." In 1682 the active carrying out of the scheme was committed to
the Dean of Faculty, Sir George Mackenzie of Rosehaugh, who may be
regarded as the founder of the library. In 1684 the first librarian
was appointed, and the library appears to have made rapid progress,
since it appears from the treasurer's accounts that in 1686 the books
and furniture were valued at upwards of £11,000 Scots, exclusive of
donations. In the year 1700, the rooms in the Exchange Stairs,
Parliament Close, in which the library was kept, being nearly
destroyed by fire the collection was removed to the ground floor of
the Parliament House, where it has ever since remained. The library
retains the copyright privilege conferred upon it in 1709. Of the
special collections the most important are the Astorga collection of
old Spanish books, purchased by the faculty in 1824 for £4000; the
Thorkelin collection, consisting of about 1200 vols., relating chiefly
to the history and antiquities of the northern nations, and including
some rare books on old Scottish poetry; the Dietrich collection of
over 100,000 German pamphlets and dissertations, including many of the
writings of Luther and Melanchthon, purchased for the small sum of
£80; and the Combe collection.
The faculty appear early to have turned their attention to the
collection of MSS., and this department of the library now numbers
about 3000 vols. Many of them are of great interest and value,
especially for the civil and ecclesiastical history of Scotland before
and after the Reformation. There are thirteen monastic chartularies
which escaped the destruction of the religious houses to which they
belonged. The MSS. relating to Scottish church history include the
collections of Spottiswoode, Wodrow and Calderwood. The Wodrow
collection consists of 154 vols., and includes his correspondence,
extending from 1694 to 1726. Sir James Balfour's collection and the
Balcarres papers consist largely of original state papers, and include
many interesting royal letters of the times of James V., Queen Mary
and James VI. The Sibbald papers, numbering over 30 vols., are largely
topographical. The Riddel notebooks, numbering 156 vols., contain
collections to illustrate the genealogy of Scottish families. There
are about one hundred volumes of Icelandic MSS., purchased in 1825
from Professor Finn Magnusson, and some Persian and Sanskrit, with a
few classical, manuscripts. The department has some interesting
treasures of old poetry, extending to 73 vols. The most important are
the Bannatyne MS., in 2 vols. folio, written by George Bannatyne in
1568, and the Auchinleck MS., a collection of ancient English poetry,
named after Alexander Boswell of Auchinleck, who presented it in 1774.
The first catalogue of the printed books was compiled in 1692, and
contains a preface by Sir George Mackenzie. Another was prepared under
the care of Ruddiman in 1742. In 1853 the late Mr Halkett commenced a
catalogue, which has been printed in 6 vols. 4to, with a supplement,
and includes all the printed books in the library at the end of 1871,
containing about 260,000 entries. The library, managed by a keeper and
staff, under a board of six curators, is easily accessible to all
persons engaged in literary work, and now contains about 500,000 vols.
The library of the Writers to the Signet was established by the
Society at Edinburgh in 1755. At first it consisted of law books
exclusively, but in 1788 they began to collect the best editions of
works in other departments of literature. During the librarianship of
Macvey Napier (1805-1837) the number of volumes was more than
sextupled, and in 1812 the library was removed to the new hall
adjoining the Parliament House. In 1834 the upper hall was devoted to
the collection. This is a magnificent apartment 142 ft. long, with a
beautiful cupola painted by Stothard. The library now contains over
110,000 vols. and includes some fine specimens of early printing, as
well as many other rare and costly works. It is especially rich in
county histories and British topography and antiquities. A catalogue
of the law books was printed in 1856. The late David Laing, who became
librarian in 1837, published the first volume of a new catalogue in
1871, and in 1891 this was completed with a subject index. The books
are lent out to the writers and even to strangers recommended by them.
The library of the Royal Irish Academy at Dublin was established on
the formation of the Academy in 1785 for the purpose of promoting the
study of science, literature and antiquities in Ireland. The library
possesses about 80,000 printed vols. and MSS. There is a large
collection of MSS. and books relating to the history, ancient
language, and antiquities of Ireland. They include the Betham
collection, acquired partly by public subscription in 1851. The
library is partly supported by a government grant and is freely open
on a proper introduction. The publication of Irish MSS. in the library
was begun in 1870, and has since continued; the general catalogue is
in manuscript form.
The library of King's Inns was founded, pursuant to a bequest of books
and legal MSS. under the will of Mr Justice Robinson in 1787, to form
the nucleus of a library for law students. It is partly supported from
the funds of the benchers, but partly also by a treasury grant in lieu
of the copyright privilege.
It is needless to describe the other society libraries, as most of
them are described in annuals like the _Literary Year-book_ and
similar publications, with statistics of stock, issues, &c., brought
up to date.
Proprietary and subscription libraries.
Proprietary and subscription libraries were at one time more common than
now, as, owing to the steady advance of the municipal library, the minor
subscription libraries have been gradually extinguished. A striking
example of this is furnished by the mechanics' institutes which used to
flourish all over the country. In most cases these have been handed over
to the local authorities by the owners to form the nucleus of the public
rate-supported library, and in this way the older libraries have been
preserved and valuable aid has been given to the popular library
movement. Somewhat akin to the mechanics' institutes are the libraries
established in connexion with various co-operative societies in the
north of England. Together with working men's club libraries, there must
be nearly 100 libraries of the class just mentioned, ranging in size
from a few hundred vols. to 30,000 or 40,000 vols. The affiliated clubs
of the Working Men's Club and Institute Union possess among them over
100,000 vols.
Among subscription libraries, the London Library stands first in order
of importance. It was founded in 1841 as a lending library for the use
of scholars, and Dean Milman, Sir G. C. Lewis, W. E. Gladstone, Thomas
Carlyle, Henry Hallam and other eminent men took part in its formation.
By means of a moderate subscription, funds were raised for the purchase
of books on general subjects, which now amount to about 250,000 vols. Of
these elaborate and excellent author and subject catalogues have been
printed. The last is valuable as a classified guide to the contents of
the library.
Some mention should be made also of the more important subscription or
proprietary libraries, which were formed for the most part in the
latter half of the 18th century. The earliest circulating library in
the metropolis was established about the middle of the 18th century.
The first in Birmingham was opened by Hutton in 1757. The idea of a
proprietary library appears to have been first carried out at
Liverpool in 1758. The library then formed still flourishes at the
Lyceum, and possesses a collection of 55,000 vols. and an income of
£1000 a year. In 1760 a library was formed at Warrington which has
been merged in the Warrington Museum. The Leeds library was
established in 1768, and now has 64,000 vols. In 1772 the Bristol
museum and library was formed, and numbered Coleridge, Southey and
Landor among its earlier members. It has now been merged in the
reference collection of the Bristol public libraries. The Birmingham
(old) library was formed in 1779, and its rules were drawn up by Dr
Priestley. The library has now about 80,000 vols.
Other English proprietary libraries have been established at
Leicester, Liverpool (Athenaeum, 1798), Manchester, Nottingham and
elsewhere. In Scotland the first subscription library was started by
Allan Ramsay, the poet, at Edinburgh in 1725, and since that time
commercial subscription libraries have increased greatly in number and
size, Mudie's and _The Times_ Book Club being typical modern examples.
Club libraries.
Many of the principal clubs possess libraries; that of the Athenaeum
(London) is by far the most important. It now numbers about 75,000 vols.
of books in all departments of literature, and is especially rich in
well-bound and fine copies of works on the fine arts, archaeology,
topography and history. The pamphlets, of which there is a complete
printed catalogue, as well as of the books, form a remarkable series,
including those collected by Gibbon and Mackintosh. Next comes the
Reform Club, with about 60,000 vols., chiefly in belles-lettres, with a
fair proportion of parliamentary and historical works. The National
Liberal Club, containing the Gladstone Library, has about 45,000 vols.,
and may be used occasionally by non-members. The Oxford and Cambridge
Club has 30,000 vols. in general and classical literature. At the
Garrick there is a small dramatic collection; and the (Senior) United
Service Club, besides a number of books on professional subjects,
possesses the fine library which formerly belonged to Dugald Stewart.
Other London clubs which possess libraries are the Carlton with 25,000
vols.; the Constitutional with 12,000 vols.; Grand Lodge of
Freemasons, 10,000 vols.; Alpine, 5000 vols.; Travellers, 8000 vols.;
and Junior Carlton, 6000 vols. In the provinces and in Scotland and
Ireland every club of a social character has a reading-room, and in
most cases a library is attached.
Municipal libraries.
The first act of parliament authorizing the establishment of public
libraries in England was obtained by William Ewart, M.P. for the
Dumfries Burghs, in 1850. This arose out of the report of a special
parliamentary committee appointed to enquire into the management of the
British Museum in 1835, and a more general report on libraries in 1849,
at which much evidence was submitted to prove the necessity for
providing public libraries. Ewart obtained both committees and also, in
1845, procured an act for "encouraging the establishment of museums in
large towns." Neither the 1845 nor 1850 acts proved effective, owing
chiefly to the limitation of the library rate to ½d. in the £ of rental,
which produced in most cases an insufficient revenue. In 1853 the
Library Act of 1850 was extended to Ireland and Scotland, and in 1854
Scotland obtained an act increasing the rate limit from ½d. to 1d. in
the £. In 1855 Ireland also obtained a penny rate, and later in the same
year England obtained the same power by an act which remained the
principal library act, with some intermediate amendments, till 1892,
when a Public Library Consolidation Act was passed. In the following
year, 1893, the power of adopting the acts, or putting them in
operation, was transferred from the ratepayers to the local authority,
save in the case of rural parishes and the metropolitan vestries. By the
London Government Act of 1899, however, the metropolitan boroughs were
given the power of adopting the acts of 1892-1893 without consulting the
ratepayers, so that as the law at present stands, any urban district can
put the public libraries acts in force without reference to the voters.
Rural parishes are still required by the provisions of the Local
Government Act 1894 to adopt the 1892 Libraries Act by means of a parish
meeting, or if a poll is demanded, by means of a poll of the voters.