| Administrative History | In 1870 a free public library was established after the old Town and County Library (set up in 1835) had been offered to the Borough. In 1879 new library premises were opened in the Wardwick, which also incorporated the Museum (started in 1836 and amalgamated with the library c1860). The new building was presented to the Borough by Michael Thomas Bass, who added an Art Gallery to the Museum in 1883. The Committee ran the Library (sometimes known as the Free Library), Museum and Art Gallery, often through sub-committees, including for branch libraries. For minutes 1869-1874 see 8/1. |