The Cambridge History of Libraries in Britain and Ireland

The Cambridge History of Libraries in Britain and Ireland describes the development of libraries in Great Britain and Ireland over some 1500 years, and their role as a part of the social, intellectual and cultural history. In addition to obvious links with the history of books and literature, the volumes include consideration of education, technology, social philosophy, architecture and the arts, as they have affected libraries. The significant international dimension, which has affected British and Irish libraries from the Middle Ages to the present, receives due attention. Other themes considered in each volume include the housing, storage and maintenance of books and other material; the individuals responsible for their care and those who used them; developments in provision, organization and cataloguing; and the principles and attitudes - of librarians and users - which such developments reflect.

1. Introduction Giles Mandelbrote and Keith Manley; Part I. The Expansion of Book Collections 1640–1750: 2. Ancients and moderns: cross-currents in early modern intellectual life Joseph M. Levine; 3. Libraries, books and learning, from Bacon to the Enlightenment Paul A. Nelles; 4. Opportunities for building collections and libraries R. Julian Roberts; 5. Libraries for school education and personal devotion Ian Green; 6. Libraries for the parish: individual donors and charitable societies W. M. Jacob; 7. Endowed libraries for towns Michael Powell; 8. Libraries in university towns Charles Benson; 9. Ecclesiastical libraries: libraries for the higher clergy Sheila Hingley; 10. Antiquaries' and heralds' libraries Nigel Ramsay; 11. Professional collections: libraries for scientists and doctors Scott Mandelbrote; 12. Personal owners of books Giles Mandelbrote; 13. Library buildings and fittings John Newman; 14. Baroque librarianship P. S. Morrish; Part II. Library Developments at a Local Level: 15. Libraries for sociability: the rise of the subscription library James Raven; Two case studies of local library provision: 16. Norwich David Stoker; 17. Belfast Wesley McCann; Part III. Provincial and Metropolitan Libraries 1750–1850: 18. Libraries in context: social, cultural and intellectual background Joanna Innes; 19. The book trade and libraries John Feather; 20. Ecclesiastical libraries Joan Williams; 21. Libraries in the parish Graham Best; 22. Books and universities Peter Freshwater; 23. Libraries and literacy in popular education Brian Burch; 24. Scientific and medical libraries: the rise of the institution John Symonds; 25. The first century of the British Museum library P. R. Harris; 26. The impact of the British Museum library Marvin Spevack; 27. Private libraries in the age of `bibliomania' Arnold Hunt; 28. Library architecture and interiors M. H. Port; 29. Library management in the pre-professional age P. S. Morrish; 30. Libraries for an imperial power Wallace Kirsop; 31. Engines of literature: libraries in an age of expansion and transition K. A. Manley; Select bibliography.