The Origin of the Lending Library

-The Design of Rev. Thomas Bray and its influence on James Kirkwood-

Abstract

This paper is divided into three sections.
　(1) The summary of the four types of libraries which Bray proposed “parochial”, “provincial”, “decanal” and “layman's” libraries.
　(2) The influence of his idea of lending libraries on the history of public libraries.
　(3) The expansion of his design by Kirkwood, “the father of free libraries”.
Conclusion
　1. Bray's idea of lending libraries open to the public is particularly important in the history of the public libraries both in England and America because it was accompanied by an increasing emphasis on public use.
　2. Bray's Library was a significant step toward the development of the modern public library which began in the mid-nineteenth century.