Fonds
Records of the Liverpool Library, Lyceum
Catalogue reference: 027 LYC
What’s it about?
This record is about the Records of the Liverpool Library, Lyceum dating from 1759-1955.
Is it available online?
Maybe, but not on The National Archives website. This record is held at Liverpool Record Office. How to view it.
Can I see it in person?
Not at The National Archives, but you may be able to view it in person at Liverpool Record Office. How to view it.
Full description and record details
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Reference (The unique identifier to the record described, used to order and refer to it)
- 027 LYC
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Title (The name of the record)
- Records of the Liverpool Library, Lyceum
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Date (When the record was created)
- 1759-1955
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Description (What the record is about)
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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
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Held by (Who holds the record)
- Liverpool Record Office
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Language (The language of the record)
- English
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Creator(s) (The creator of the record)
- <corpname>Liverpool Library, Lyceum</corpname>
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Physical description (The amount and form of the record)
- 19 series
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Immediate source of acquisition (When and where the record was acquired from)
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Deposited by the Secretary Manager of the Lyceum Club in October 1965. Acc. 1538
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Administrative / biographical background (Historical or biographical information about the creator of the record and the context of its creation)
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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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Record URL
- https://beta.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/id/aea2fe26-6c2d-4b01-80ab-ca5b6c2fa9e7/
Catalogue hierarchy
You are currently looking at the fonds: 027 LYC
Records of the Liverpool Library, Lyceum