Catalogue description Records of the Liverpool Library, Lyceum

This record is held by Liverpool Record Office

Details of 027 LYC
Reference: 027 LYC
Title: Records of the Liverpool Library, Lyceum
Description:

Liverpool Library

 

1. Minute books:

 

1. General Committee 15 vols., 1769 - 1941

 

2. Library Committee 2 vols., 1769 - 1786

 

3. Superintending Committee 5 vols., 1823 - 1882

 

4. Books Sub-committee 1 vol., 1910 - 1925

 

5. Library Committee, relative to the Lyceum 1 vol., 1800 - 1867

 

6. Committees notebook 1 vol., 1897 - 1898

 

2. Suggestions or proposal books 11 vols., 1777 - 1936

 

3. Cash books 1 vol., 1785 - 1792

 

4. Share registers 2 vols., 19th, 20th centuries

 

5. Share transfer books 2 vols., 1861 - 1923

 

6. Catalogues 14 vols., 1792 - 1921

 

7. Deeds relating to Liverpool Library 1 vol., 13 docs., [1801 - 1836]

 

8. Papers relating to the Library's claim to exemption from rates 23 docs., 1858 - 1860

 

9. Miscellaneous papers relating to the Liverpool Library 1 bundle, late 19th, 20th centuries

 

10. Laws of the Liverpool Library 4 pamphlets, 1858 - 1878

 

Lyceum Newsroom and Club

 

11. Minute books 4 vols., 1 bundle, 1879 - 1912

 

12. Subscription lists etc. 2 vols., 1912 - 1942

 

13. [Not allocated]

 

14. Share Certificates 3 vols., 1920 - 1955

 

15. Probate records 1 vol., 1845 - 1902

 

16. Accounts 1 vol., 1830 - 1859

 

17. Annual Reports and lists of proprietors of the Lyceum Club 2 vols., 7 pamphlets, 1867 - 1933

 

18. Laws 1 pamphlet, 1856

 

Peacock v. Sinclair

 

19. Papers relating to the lawsuit between the Liverpool Library and the Lyceum Newsroom and Club 6 boxes, 1879 - 1886
Date: 1759-1955
Held by: Liverpool Record Office, not available at The National Archives
Language: English
Creator:

Liverpool Library, Lyceum
Physical description: 19 series
Immediate source of acquisition:

Deposited by the Secretary Manager of the Lyceum Club in October 1965. Acc. 1538
Subjects:
  • Liverpool
Administrative / biographical background:

The Liverpool Library, believed to be one of the first subscription libraries in Europe, was founded by several of the leading merchants, professional men and tradesmen of the town on 1st May 1758. The first librarian was William Everard, a schoolmaster, and the first catalogue was published in 1760. The library occupied a succession of small premises until 1802 when the Lyceum Club, or Newsroom, was opened in Bold Street, and the proprietors of the Liverpool Library leased part of the building for their headquarters. The Library Committee stood in the relation of sub-tenants to the Lyceum Club. In 1879 the Committee of the Newsroom served on the Library Committee a notice to quit. There followed six years of costly litigation and it was not until the case had been taken to the House of Lords in 1886 that the decision was awarded to the library with costs.

 

The Liverpool Library closed in April 1942 and the bookstock was afterwards sold.
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