Description

Admin History:

In 1775 the first subscription library was founded. In the 19th Century library facilities in Hull were extended by three educational institutions: The Mechanics Institute, the Church Institute, and the Young People's Christian and Literary Institute (Allison, 1969, p.425-426).

When Hull adopted the Public Libraries Acts of 1850 and 1855, which authorized a 1d. rate for library purposes, the James Reckitt library on Holderness Road was offered to the town free of charge, as James Reckitt subscribed annually the 1d. rate. The success of this library helped to convert many previous opponents of public libraries and in 1892 the Public Libraries Acts were finally adopted, although by a minority (Allison, 1969, p.427).

In 1894 the Central library was opened in temporary premises in Albion Hall, Baker Street, and in 1898 a permanent site in Albion Street was found and the new building was opened in 1901, where it still remains to this day. Libraries were established throughout the town and services were extended to include the supplying of books to clubs, hospitals, etc. and in 1926 a school libraries service was begun, which assisted in the development of the East Riding Rural Libraries Scheme (Allison, 1969, p.427).

Description:

The collection consists of ledgers relating to public libraries