Peter Hoare is former University Librarian at the University of Nottingham and General Editor of the Cambridge History of Libraries in Britain and Ireland.

'The global view of libraries and librarianship is typical of all three volumes. So, too, is the excellent bibliography and index … this is the most academic, with an extremely high quality of scholarship … This book is the starting point for all research into early British library history, informative in itself and directing readers further.' Rare Books Newsletter

• Part I. The Expansion of Book Collections 1640–1750; Part II. Library Developments at a Local Level; Part III. Provincial and Metropolitan Libraries 1750–1850; Part I. Enlightening the Masses; Part II. The Voluntary Ethic; Part III. Libraries for National Needs; Part IV. The Nation's Treasury; Part V. The Spirit of Enquiry; Part VI. The Rise of Professional Society; Part VII. The Trade and its Tools; Part VIII. Automation Pasts, Electronic Futures.

Peter Hoare is former University Librarian at the University of Nottingham and General Editor of the Cambridge History of Libraries in Britain and Ireland.

'The global view of libraries and librarianship is typical of all three volumes. So, too, is the excellent bibliography and index … this is the most academic, with an extremely high quality of scholarship … This book is the starting point for all research into early British library history, informative in itself and directing readers further.' Rare Books Newsletter

• Part I. The Expansion of Book Collections 1640–1750; Part II. Library Developments at a Local Level; Part III. Provincial and Metropolitan Libraries 1750–1850; Part I. Enlightening the Masses; Part II. The Voluntary Ethic; Part III. Libraries for National Needs; Part IV. The Nation's Treasury; Part V. The Spirit of Enquiry; Part VI. The Rise of Professional Society; Part VII. The Trade and its Tools; Part VIII. Automation Pasts, Electronic Futures.

Peter Hoare is former University Librarian at the University of Nottingham and General Editor of the Cambridge History of Libraries in Britain and Ireland.

'The global view of libraries and librarianship is typical of all three volumes. So, too, is the excellent bibliography and index … this is the most academic, with an extremely high quality of scholarship … This book is the starting point for all research into early British library history, informative in itself and directing readers further.' Rare Books Newsletter

• Part I. The Expansion of Book Collections 1640–1750; Part II. Library Developments at a Local Level; Part III. Provincial and Metropolitan Libraries 1750–1850; Part I. Enlightening the Masses; Part II. The Voluntary Ethic; Part III. Libraries for National Needs; Part IV. The Nation's Treasury; Part V. The Spirit of Enquiry; Part VI. The Rise of Professional Society; Part VII. The Trade and its Tools; Part VIII. Automation Pasts, Electronic Futures.