It is hoped that in future lectures on literary subjects or connected with classes of books in the Library may be arranged from time to time.
CONCLUSION.
In the annual reports various statistics have been given of the visits to the News and Reading Rooms, and the number of books issued from the Lending and Reference Libraries, but as there was no uniform system of compilation, and the methods employed were not stated, an accurate statistical comparison between the past and present work of the Library is impossible. Suffice it to say that at no time of its history has it been so well equipped in all directions, and at no time has it stood higher in public esteem than it does at present. The old City Library possesses treasures befitting an old English “City of Churches,” and the present Public Library fulfils the general purposes of a modern rate-supported
Library. The Lending Library consists of about 18,000 volumes in all departments of knowledge, from which some 6,000 adults and juveniles borrow about 110,000 volumes annually. The Reading Room and News Room contain a careful selection of the leading newspapers, and a large variety of the best periodicals. The Reference Library contains about 24,000 volumes, including sets of the publications of several learned societies, and is being brought up to date by the purchase of recent standard works of reference. The Local Collection, which for completeness probably equals that of any other county, has a rich store of material, valuable not only to the antiquary, but to all those who desire to know something of the literature and art of the county, or its natural and geological history, or the part played by Norfolk and Norwich in the general history of England. Further, the Library, being encyclopædic in character, may be regarded as a bureau of information, and as such it is playing an important part in the educational, industrial and social life of the City.
Printed by Jarrold & Sons, Ltd., Norwich, England.
Footnotes:
[1] A. Jessopp’s Norwich (Diocesan histories), 1884, p. 155.
[2a] Leland’s “Laboryouse Journey and Serche of Johan Leylande for Englandes Antiquitees,” enlarged by John Bale. 1549.
[2b] London apparently is entitled to claim the distinction of having established the earliest British library under municipal control. In an article in the “Library Association Record,” vol. 10, 1908, the late Mr. E. M. Borrajo, formerly Librarian to the Corporation of the City of London, wrote: “The citizens of London may fairly claim to be the parent, in a sense, not only of the National Library, but of every public library in the country.” He also stated: “The earliest association of a library with the Guildhall dates from some period anterior to the year 1425, when it is recorded that the executors of Richard Whittington and William Bury built the ‘new house or library, with the chamber under,’ the custody of which was entrusted to them by the Corporation.” About the year 1549 the Lord Protector Somerset carried off three cart loads of books from the Library, and the following year saw its final disappearance. This library was a collegiate library and probably opened its doors to non-collegiate students, who were properly accredited. In the will of John Carpenter, proved in 1442, this library is referred to as the “common library at Guildhall.”
[3] “The Maire of Bristowe is Kalendar by Robert Ricart Towm Clerk of Bristol, 18 Edward IV.” (Camden Society), 1872, p. v.