HistoryHistory
Why did these libraries appear? During the 18th century, books were published in larger and larger numbers and their middle class readers had more leisure time to read them. But books were also expensive and there were no free public libraries. The aim of the Leeds Library and other subscription libraries was to acquire new books that their members wished to read and to collect them perpetually so that their collections would increase in size and value. The vast majority of the books acquired were available for loan and on open shelves from which the members could select them. Printed catalogues were distributed regularly to help with book selection.
Why are subscription libraries like the Leeds Library now so rare? One reason was the appearance of other rival subscription libraries in the 19th century including those of the philosophical and literary societies and the Mechanics’ Institutes. These organizations offered other features such as museums, scientific investigation, public lectures and educational classes. Many subscription libraries combined with these ‘rival’ organizations. Others closed when the public libraries began to appear from the mid-19th century onwards, often donating their own collection to the new public one. The large commercial circulating libraries such as those of Boots, Harrods, Mudies and W H Smith also helped to reduce the subscriptions libraries’ appeal.
