Summary:
"Three Centuries of a City Library" by Geo. A. Stephen is a historical account written in the early 20th century. The book chronicles the establishment and evolution of the Norwich Public Library from its inception in 1608 to the opening of the current public library in 1857. It details the unique role Norwich played in the history of libraries within England, highlighting the significant donations and the societal impacts of the library through the centuries. The opening of the book sets the stage for the detailed history awaiting readers. It recounts the origins of the Norwich Public Library, emphasizing its establishment as potentially the first provincial public library in England under municipal control. The author indicates that the initial purpose of the library was to serve the clergy while progressively becoming accessible to a broader audience. It further alludes to the challenges faced during its early years, including the neglect of books and the eventual development of lending systems, all while engaging readers with a sense of local pride and historical significance. (This is an automatically generated summary.)