Public Libraries Act 1850
| Act of Parliament | |
| Long title | An Act for enabling Town Councils to establish Public Libraries and Museums. |
|---|---|
| Citation | 13 & 14 Vict. c. 65 |
| Introduced by | William Ewart (Commons) |
| Territorial extent | |
| Dates | |
| Royal assent | 14 August 1850 |
| Commencement | 14 August 1850 |
| Repealed | 30 July 1855 |
| Other legislation | |
| Repeals/revokes | Museums Act 1845 |
| Amended by | |
| Repealed by | Public Libraries Act 1855 |
Status: Repealed | |
| Text of statute as originally enacted | |
The Public Libraries Act 1850 (13 & 14 Vict. c. 65), sometimes called the Public Libraries and Museums Act 1850, was an act of the United Kingdom Parliament which first gave local boroughs the power to establish free public libraries. The act was the first legislative step in the creation of an enduring national institution that provides universal free access to information and literature, and was indicative of the moral, social and educative concerns of the time. The legacy of the act can be followed through subsequent legislation that built on and expanded the powers granted in 1850 and the 4,145 public libraries that exist in the United Kingdom in the 21st century can trace their origins back to this act.