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IN a brief notice of the existing public libraries of Glasgow, the first place is given, in right of seniority, to the time-honoured name of Stirling's Library. It is a pleasure to salute, across the hundred years which separate his day from ours, the worthy Glasgow citizen and magistrate, who, "considering that a public library kept in a proper place in the City of Glasgow, will be attended with considerable advantage to the inhabitants," gave practical effect to his belief by bequeathing his own collection of books, his house in Miller Street, a thousand pounds sterling money, and other property, for the purpose of establishing such a library.
Mr. Walter Stirling died 17th January, 1791, in his sixty-eighth year. His will directed that the library should be administered by a board of directors appointed jointly by the Town Council, the Merchants' House, the Presbytery, and the Faculty of Physicians and Surgeons, the Lord Provost for the time being President ex officio. The principal injunctions, as affecting the public, were that the librarian should allow all proper persons to consult and read the books three hours each lawful day, and that no book should be lent out of the library, except on an order signed by two of the directors.
It was soon found by the directors that the means at their disposal were not sufficient to carry out the intentions of the founder, and they obtained an amendment of the constitution enabling them to lend out books to life subscribers.
In 1792 it was proposed to constitute a class of annual subscribers, but the Merchants' House withheld consent, and the idea was departed from, only to be effectively revived in 1848. In the latter year the board of management was increased by the election of eight additional directors from the subscribers, and the library was opened to the public without restriction for free reading in the library hall.
The number of volumes left by Mr. Stirling as the foundation of the proposed public library was 804, the collection being perhaps strongest in the department of history. These books were speedily reinforced by others purchased by the directors, or presented by friends of the library. In 1795 it had grown to 3,705; and now in 1894 to 46,000 volumes. In 1871 the library received by amalgamation the Glasgow Public Library, a subscription library formed in 1804; and the title of the institution was changed to "Stirling's and Glasgow Public Library."
The founder's house in Miller Street being found to be unsuitable the library was, in 1792, removed to a room in St. Enoch Square, and again in 1805 to Hutchesons' Hospital. In 1844 it was again removed, this time to a building erected at the back of Mr. Stirling's house, in Miller Street; and twenty years later into the present building, erected by the directors on the site of its original home.
The library has had many friends. The late Mr. William Euing (who was a life member for seventy-nine years), gave thousands of volumes, including, among many valuable and rare works, no fewer than twenty-seven fifteenth century books; and he bequeathed £200 to the library. Dr. William Scouler bequeathed his books (over 2,000 in number) to the library. Bailie James Bogle, Mr. Andrew Liddell, and Mr. William Jameson, jun., among others, made valuable gifts.
In the course of its history Stirling's Library has experienced changes of fortune. But under the guidance of recent boards of directors and librarians, it has, to the extent of its means, rendered substantial service to the community. From its commencement, in a restricted form, and for nearly half a century without any conditions, its doors have been freely opened, and its accumulated stores of literary treasures at the service of every student. Doubtless many, especially of the elder generation of citizens, will cherish with gratitude the remembrance of information gained and recreation enjoyed within the walls of Stirling's Library.
This institution, which has become the largest public library, in the full sense of the term, not only in Glasgow but in Scotland, was founded by Mr. Stephen Mitchell, tobacco manufacturer in Glasgow. Mr. Mitchell died 21st April, 1874, in his eighty-fifth year. By his will, the residue of his estate was bequeathed to "form the nucleus of a fund for the establishment and endowment of a large public library in Glasgow, with all the modern accessories connected therewith." The chief provisions of the constitution are -
That the library is to be known as The Mitchell Library; that all books not immoral be freely admitted, and that no book shall be regarded as immoral which simply controverts present opinions on political or religious questions; that the administration of the fund and of the library be entrusted to a committee of the Town Council; that the library be accessible to the public for purposes of reference and consultation.
The amount of the bequest was £66,998 10s. 6d., which, the founder directed, was to be allowed to accumulate to not less than £70,000 before the formation of the library was begun. This sum having been reached in 1876, the council determined to put the testator's intentions into operation A liberal offer by Ex-Bailie Neil to give the free use for five years of a flat in his large warehouse in Ingram Street was accepted; and a second flat was added at a rental fixed by the assessor. In the selection of the books to form the library, the leading principles observed were - that it must be general and comprehensive in character, and aim at representing every phase of human thought, and every variety of human opinion; it should further acquire such books as from their rarity and value cannot generally be procured by private persons.
The library was opened early in November, 1877, with about 15,000 volumes. From the first it was apparent that the institution supplied a real and felt want in the city. The number of readers, moderate in the commencement, increased rapidly and regularly; and in less than two years had reached the limit for which it was possible to provide suitable accommodation. Notwithstanding the overcrowding, the attendance continued, with some fluctuations, to increase until 1885, when the highest point reached in the Ingram Street premises was registered. In that year 468,056 volumes were issued to readers.
The library committee had kept constantly before them the necessity of providing some more suitable building for the library. Several proposals had been considered, but the first really practicable opportunity arose when, on the completion of the City Chambers, the various municipal trusts were removed to George Square. Of the buildings available, the one best suited to the requirements of the library was that formerly occupied by the Water Commissioners in Miller Street.
The sanction of the Town Council was obtained for its purchase, the building was reconstructed and suitably furnished, and the library was moved into it. The re-opening ceremony took place on 7th October, 1891, when the Marquis of Bute delivered a scholarly and appropriate address. The library resumed interrupted course, and again the familiar spectacle of rooms well filled with interested readers was witnessed. In 1893, 497,000 books were issued, and during the present year (1894) the number is likely to exceed half a million. The total number, from the commencement, is considerably over six millions.
The growth of the library itself has been relatively as rapid as the increase in its use. The 15,000 volumes it contained at the opening in 1877, has now increased in October, 1894, to about 110,000. Much of this rapid increase is due to donations and bequests. Of the whole number, more than a third have been so acquired. The most important of these benefactions is that of the late Bailie Moir, who left his own library (about 3,500 volumes) and £11,500, which, after payment of an annuity, is to be applied in the purchase of books. The number of volumes in the Moir collection is now about 16,000. The late Councillor Logan left £500, also devoted to additions to the Library. The Senatus of the University presented 2,000 volumes from the duplicates in the University Library. Mr. Richard Chalmers bequeathed his library of about 1,000 volumes. Mr. Alex. Gardyne presented a large collection of Scottish literature, chiefly poetical, amounting to more than 2,500 volumes. A gentleman who prefers not to be named gave to the library a handsomely bound copy of the Chevalier Ongania's magnificent and costly work on the Church of St. Mark at Venice, in 16 volumes. And very many others have, in the same way, done service to the city and honour to themselves.
The history of the library is a demonstration, if such be required, of the need for public libraries in Glasgow, and of their great value to the community. Never, before in the United Kingdom, and in extremely few instances elsewhere, has a public library made so much progress in the first seventeen years of its existence, either as regards the acquirement of books or the use of them by the public. The main reading hall of the Mitchell Library, with its hundreds of readers, offers, especially in the evening hours, one of the most attractive, interesting, and gratifying spectacles the city has to show. Would that a similar institution were placed in every district of the city.
Although the most recently opened of the public libraries of Glasgow, the foundation of Baillie's Library dates from 1863. By trust deed, dated 10th, and recorded in the Books of Council and Session, 15th December of that year, Mr. George Baillie, writer and a member of the Faculty of Procurators in Glasgow, divested himself in favour of trustees of a sum of £18,000, which, with its accumulations for a period of twenty-one years from 11th November, 1863, he appointed to be applied to the erection and endowment of an educational institution in Glasgow, to be called "Baillie's Institution," which should have for its objects "(1) To aid in the self-culture of the operative classes from youth to manhood and old age, by furnishing them with warm, well lighted, and every way comfortable accommodation, at all seasons, for reading useful and interesting books, in apartments of proper size, attached to one or more free public libraries provided for them; and (2) to afford to the children of the operative classes the means of unsectarian, moral, and intellectual instruction, and industrial training, in one or more schools, and school grounds, either gratuitously or for such small consideration in the form of school fees as my trustees may think advisable." The trustees appointed to carry out the purposes of the trust were the Dean and Council and Clerk of the Faculty of Procurators. On 18th March, 1867, the trust was incorporated by Royal Charter, and the trustees were constituted the Preceptors, Patrons, and Directors of Baillie's Institution, Mr. Balllie directed that if, at the end of twenty-one years, the funds should prove insufficient for the support of the two branches of the scheme, they should be restricted to the foundation and endowment of a Free Public Library. It turned out that there were not funds available for both objects, and the trustees accordingly proceeded to carry out the scheme relating to a library. The hall below Stirling's Library was taken on a seven years' lease, and "Baillie's Institution Free Library" was opened on 29th September, 1887, with 3426 volumes, as a reference library. Large additions have been made in subsequent years, and the library now contains more than 12,000 volumes, including the best editions of standard works in various departments of literature.
Under the Educational Endowments (Scotland) Act, 1882, a scheme for the administration of the Institution was drawn up, which received the Royal assent, and became operative in 1889. By it the governing body was increased to twelve, of whom six are elected by the Faculty of Procurators, and the remainder by various public bodies.
Apart from the libraries to which the general public enjoy a right of free access, Glasgow has a number of other libraries if much importance.
LIBRARY OF GLASGOW UNIVERSITY. - This, which is much the largest and incomparably the most important and valuable library in the West of Scotland, was founded in the fifteenth century, but it was not until 1577 that its continuous and effective existence can be said to have commenced. For more than a hundred and thirty years the library grew slowly, chiefly by means of gifts, and of small payments by students on matriculation and graduation. In 1709, under the Copyright Act, the library became entitled to a copy of each book entered at Stationers' Hall; and for another period of a hundred and thirty years this was the principal source from which additions were made. It was not an altogether satisfactory arrangement, for while the less valuable books published were obtained, it was complained that comparatively few books of importance were secured. The Copyright Act of 1836 brought about a very advantageous change. The right to a copy of each book published was withdrawn, the library received in compensation an annual grant of £707, and the library committee were thereby enabled to select and purchase such books, whether British or foreign, as they considered most desirable for the service of the University. The development of the library was much accelerated, the additions of the last fifty-eight years being more than double those of the preceding two hundred and sixty years.
The number of volumes in the library at various periods is estimated - in 1691, 3,299; in 1760, 5,643; in 1790, 20,000; in 1826, 30,000. The number at present (1894) is about 150,000.
No attempt can be made here to specify the treasures which the library possesses. It must suffice to say that in all departments of literature it contains works of the greatest importance and rarity. The following are the most important additions of recent years:-
The general collection bequeathed by the late William Euing, 15,000 volumes. Mr. Euing's collection of Bibles, one of the most important in the kingdom. The library of Sir William Hamilton, 8,000 volumes, purchased by subscription. The Walker-Arnott botanical library, 970 volumes. The musical library of T. L Stillie, 760 volumes. The collection of books relating to the Holy Land, formed and bequeathed by Dr. A. B. M'Grigor. The library of Dr. A. K. MacCallum, 3,000 volumes, left to form the nucleus of a Celtic library.
THE HUNTERIAN LIBRARY. - In the Hunterian Library the University possesses a collection of well-nigh unequalled importance, and of more than European reputation. Among its 12,000 volumes are multitudes of manuscripts and minted books of the highest distinction. The great historical presses of the world are represented by specimens which rank among their finest. Twelve Caxtons, and a like number of Wynken de Wordes, attest to its standing in respect of the earliest English printers, and the first practisers of the art in Scotland are also richly represented. Together with the Hunterian Museum, it is a monument of the energy, knowledge, judgment and loyalty of one of the most distinguished sons of our ancient seat of learning - the great anatomist, William Hunter.
THE LIBRARY OF THE FACULTY OF PHYSICANS AND SURGEONS. - The charter of incorporation of the Faculty bears date 1599, but a century elapsed before the first steps were taken for the formation of a library. In 1698 books were presented by members, and by non-professional friends. These were kept in the Faculty Hall, in Trongate.
In 1746 for the first time, the Faculty authorised the purchase of books. In 1768 a library committee was appointed, and rules were drawn up for the conduct of the library. In 1820 the volumes were estimated to number 3,500. In 1830 the reading-room was established. The library has continued to increase, and is now a valuable and important collection of medical and surgical literature, numbering about 25,000 volumes.
THE LIBRARY OF THE FACULTY OF PROCURATORS, begun in 1817, now forms an excellent collection of legal and general literature, numbering about 18,000 volumes.
FREE CHURCH COLLEGE LIBRARY. - Shortly after the establishment of the Free Church College, in 1855, the late Dr. William Clark, who had devoted large sums to the general purposes of the college, made a special contribution of £1,000 for the foundation of a library for the use of the professors and students. The collection so commenced has been largely increased by purchases and donations, and now numbers about 25,000 volumes. It includes the valuable library of the eminent German scholar, L. F. C. Tischendorf, which was purchased by the Senatus.
THE GLASGOW ATHENAEUM includes among the many privileges it offers to its members, the use of a large and well-selected library.
THE GLASGOW AND WEST OF SCOTLAND TECHNICAL COLLEGE has the considerable collections of books, formerly the libraries of the Mechanics' Institution and of Anderson's College. In the last named institution is preserved the EUING MUSICAL LIBRARY, probably unequalled in the provinces, bequeathed by Mr. William Euing. It contains some 6,000 volumes, and comprehends works on and in every department of musical literature and composition. To musicians the library is of the utmost interest and value, and it is hoped that some day it may be more easily accessible than it has hitherto been.
THE PHILOSOPHICAL, NATURAL HISTORY, GEOLOGICAL, and other learned societies, and many other institutions, social, political, literary, have formed libraries for the use of their members.
It will be observed from the foregoing, that the Libraries freely open to the public are all of the reference or consulting class, and that all are due to the wise and beneficent action of individuals, rather than to corporate action. Of the more popular features of a complete library establishment, namely, the free lending library, and the free news room, there is in Glasgow an entire absence.
The ratepayers have repeatedly refused, or rather failed, to take advantage of the permissive legislation enacted more than forty years ago, with the view of providing adequate public libraries in every considerable centre of population. In this failure to adopt the Libraries Act, Glasgow stands, among the other great cities of the Kingdom, in a position of absolute isolation. Everywhere else, the public libraries, established and maintained by the community for its own moral and intellectual advancement are prized as among the most beneficent of local institutions. May not the hope be cherished that ere long Glasgow will take her place in line? Under the operation of the Acts, Glasgow would, in no very distant period, become as much distinguished for her libraries - fountains of knowledge, centres of intellectual stimulus, means of wholesome recreation - as she now is in effort for the public good in other departments of municipal activity.
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