1. Introduction -- 2. Public Libraries and their Rivals -- 3. England: the Spread of Free Voluntary Libraries -- 4. London and Environs -- 5. Rural Libraries in England -- 6. Wales (and Mr. Gladstone).

This volume provides an examination of the kind of free (or nearly free) libraries which were available to the general public in England and Wales in the late nineteenth century, but which were not supported by local taxation. They were effectually substitutes for municipal public libraries in areas where that sort of library provision did not exist. And they were voluntary because they did not enjoy funding from local councils but from wealthy philanthropists or from raising money themselves from well-wishers. Many of those libraries were located in cities and towns (there were many in London) but village libraries are included. Volume 2 covers Scotland and Ireland, as well as the often-ignored subject of workplace libraries. Keith A. Manley's previously published books include Books, Borrowers, and Shareholders: Scottish Circulating and Subscription Libraries before 1825 (2012) and Irish Reading Societies and Circulating Libraries founded before 1825 (2018). He also co-edited The Cambridge History of Libraries in Britain, Vol. 2: 1640-1850 (2006). Keith is a Honorary Fellow of the Institute of Historical Research, University of London, and of CILIP (Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals), as well as Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries.