'This Revolution in the Town': The Bristol Library Society, 1772-1840

The Bristol Library Society, founded in 1772, forms a significant part of the long rich history of Bristol Libraries. This exhibition and workshop explores some of the society’s surviving books and borrowing records, which will be on open display for you to browse. What books were Samuel T Coleridge and Robert Southey borrowing during their time in Bristol? Or Mary Adams, a Bristol haberdasher? Join Professor Mark Towsey, curator of this exhibition, to talk about old books, borrowers, and the history and cultural importance of libraries.

This is an open event, no booking required. Please be aware that the capacity of the Bristol Room is limited and you may have to wait if there is a high demand. We are keen to make this event open to all interested whilst ensuring the safety of our visitors and the collections.

Exhibition on view at Bristol Central Library.

1 September - 31 October.

Before public libraries, numerous types of lending library were built by individuals and groups motivated by profit, religion, philanthropy and education.

This exhibition tells the story of one of these lending institutions, the Bristol Library Society, a membership library founded on King Street in 1772. It draws on the Library Society's surviving books and borrowing records (held at Central Library) to reveal how reading contributed to social, cultural and political change at the dawn of the modern world.

Curated by Professor Mark Towsey (University of Liverpool) and Josh Smith (University of Stirling), in association with the Project.

Host or Publisher Bristol Libraries