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Libraries: Circulating libraries in Birmingham

Vivienne14

Vivienne14

Kentish Brummie Moderator
Staff member
In the 18C and 19C circulating libraries gave access to a range of books. A subscription fee, usually of several months to a year was charged. These early Libraries gave, mainly the middle classess, access to a range of reading material.

Some formed part of other retail interests such as newspapers and books, or could even be sold alongside completely unrelated items. Eventually, the fees changed to daily rates, enticing different customers and so moved towards a closer reflection of public demand. This expanded the collections of fiction available through the libraries.

Once circulation decreased, the books were sold. Circulating library customers were often female, and their patronage was actively sought, adding to their popularity. A few were located in millinery and stationery stores and midwives' offices. And some employed single women, widows, and retired women.

An early circulating library is this one was located at Joseph Crompton’s Stationers shop in Colmore Row. Source: British Newspaper Archive.

Viv.



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William Hutton opened the first one in Birmingham 1751 at #6 Bull Street, but it seems it took until 1763 for the idea to really take off with Joseph Crompton’s larger library in post #1. Viv

Source: British Newspaper Archive.
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The book "The Bookmakers of Old Birmingham " by Joseph hill (1907) states that Hutton stated that he was the first to open a circulating library. He was shortly followed by Crompton at 4 Colmore row.. Crompton was established as a bookseller, and possibly as a lender of books, before 1754. By April 1763 Crompton had established himself in New Church Yard, a very fashionable place, and he produced a printed catalogue of 800 volumesavailable to lend. In 1764 Hutton took a three year lease at £20 rent on a house next door but one to Crompton's place in Colmore Row, and it is suggested that this was to be competition to Crompton, but Hutton makes no mention of it in his Autobiography. By 1777 Crompton's library was managed by Elizabeth Crompton, and it is suggested that Evans library at 29 Colmore Row might be a continuation of the Crompton library, but this is only a supposition.
 
This circulating library on Snow Hill almost forgot to mention it sells “Genuine Patent Medicines” from the premises too. Viv.

Source: British Newspaper Archive 35E5DAFB-457D-48F1-8A83-5FF35395A502.jpeg
 
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