The mid Victorian passion for the improvement of the public led to the public libraries act of 1850. This followed on from the mechanics Institute of the 1820s that were used as libraries for the adult working classes and provided them with an alternative pastime to gambling and drinking in pubs.
I’m sure many individuals like myself almost 200 years later must’ve hit on that eureka moment of then taking your library books to the pub.
Interesting stuff and being involved with adult education myself, reassuringly heartwarming to reflect on past human endeavour.
The Vanishing Point 