Three Centuries of a City Library an Historical and Descriptive Account of the Norwich Public Library Established in 1608 and the present Public Library opened in 1857

"Three Centuries of a City Library" by Geo. A. Stephen is a journey through time, exploring the origins and growth of the Norwich Public Library from its humble start in 1608 to its grand reopening in 1857. The book paints a vivid picture of Norwich's pioneering role in English library history. Told with a voice of local pride, it recounts the vital contributions and the library’s evolving influence on the community it served. Discover the library’s initial mission to cater to the clergy, its slow expansion to include more people, and the problems it faced, such as the book's care and the start of lending programs. The author welcomes readers to walk through the library's past and view its profound impact.