Public Libraries Act 1850

Public Libraries Act 1850

Act of Parliament
Parliament of the United Kingdom
Long title	An Act for enabling Town Councils to establish Public Libraries and Museums.
Citation	13 & 14 Vict. c. 65
Introduced by	William Ewart
Territorial extent	England and Wales
Dates
Royal assent	14 August 1850
Status: Repealed

The Public Libraries Act 1850 (13 & 14 Vict. c. 65) was an Act of the United Kingdom Parliament which first gave local boroughs the power to establish free public libraries. The Act was the first legislative step in the creation of an enduring national institution that provides universal free access to information and literature, and was indicative of the moral, social and educative concerns of the time. The legacy of the Act can be followed through subsequent legislation that built on and expanded the powers granted in 1850 and the 4,145^[1] public libraries that exist in the United Kingdom in the 21st century can trace their origins back to this Act.