The creation of Southport’s Atkinson Library

Abstract

Presents a study of the somewhat retarded initiation of a public library in a very typical Victorian seaside resort, a balanced society and economy of residents and holidaymakers, whose first faint beginnings came in 1792‐1798. Based on a thorough and detailed study of primary materials (specifically the minutes of the local library committee between 1878 and 1901), essentially, it depicts an interesting and significant microcosm of that evolving Victorian community. It is also set against the very noteworthy background of the proximity of both Liverpool and Manchester, as the pioneers of the public library movement in Victorian England. It denotes, therefore, the first motivations for a public library, in the setting of a Victorian seaside resort: the cross‐party support, the funding, and the alliance with the comparable and parallel movement for “popular” education. In summary, it is a valuable epitome of the story of a Victorian public library, perhaps the more interesting because it is so small, parochial and detached.

Citation

Glasgow, E. (1997), "The creation of Southport’s Atkinson Library", Library Review, Vol. 46 No. 6, pp. 401-410. https://doi.org/10.1108/00242539710178407