Circulating and Subscription Libraries
The Original Rent-a-Book
Before libraries went public and made their books free for all to use, people had to pay for the privilege of borrowing books. Fortunately, most of these institutions kept their prices reasonable and as a result brought reading to the masses…namely the middle class. The poor often didn’t have time to read or funds to do so, while the wealthy had their own private collections.
Subscription libraries made it possible for women to further their education and indulge their imagination. In large part, it was the rise of circulating libraries that popularized the gothic novel. And believe it or not, there are still a few subscription libraries in operation in the UK. But what exactly is the difference between a circulating and a subscription library? Great question!
Circulating libraries primarily provided popular reading materials, such as novels, and had more of a commercial focus. Most sold other items as well to increase profit.
Subscription libraries had a wider range of resources and were generally more for educational and informational purposes.
Either way, both libraries provided access to books, which is a win in my mind. And speaking of books, the heroine in my new story, Man of Shadow and Mist, works as a librarian in her father’s library.
Thinking he’s found the cure for his family’s fatal hereditary disease, a baronet rushes home to share the victory with his mother, only to find she is near death and his cure is a failure—which increases the need for an immediate remedy; but when he tries to continue his research, he's met with scorn and vicious rumors that he is a vampire, ugly gossip that the town librarian tries to dispel…and in the process she discovers not only does he have a deadly secret, but he’s stolen her heart.
Sound interesting? You can get your copy at your favorite bookseller or you can try your hand at winning one of ten signed copies.
