<P> The advocacy of Ewart and Brotherton then succeeded in having a select committee set up to consider public library provision . The Report argued that the provision of public libraries would steer people towards temperate and moderate habits . With a view to maximising the potential of current facilities, the Committee made two significant recommendations . They suggested that the government should issue grants to aid the foundation of libraries and that the Museums Act 1845 should be amended and extended to allow for a tax to be levied for the establishment of public libraries . </P> <P> Objections were raised about the increase in taxation, the potential infringement on private enterprise and the existing library provision such as mechanics' institutes and the fear that it would give rise to "unhealthy social agitation". The Bill passed through Parliament as most MPs felt that public libraries would provide facilities for self - improvement through books and reading for all classes, and that the greater levels of education attained by providing public libraries would result in lower crime rates . </P> <P> Salford Museum and Art Gallery first opened in November 1850 as "The Royal Museum & Public Library", as the first unconditionally free public library in England . The library in Campfield, Manchester was the first library to operate a free lending library without subscription in 1852 . Norwich lays claim to being the first municipality to adopt the Public Libraries Act 1850 (which allowed any municipal borough with a population of 100,000 or more to introduce a halfpenny rate to establish public libraries--although not to buy books). Norwich was the eleventh library to open, in 1857, after Winchester, Manchester, Liverpool, Bolton, Kidderminster, Cambridge, Birkenhead and Sheffield . </P> <P> The 1850 Act was noteworthy because it established the principle of free public libraries . In 1866, an amending Act was passed which eliminated entirely the population limit for the establishment of a library and replaced the two - thirds majority previously required for adoption with a simple majority . It also allowed neighbouring parishes to combine with an existing or potential library authority . Despite the rise in the level of tax public libraries could levy, it was still very difficult for boroughs to raise enough capital to fund new libraries . The growth of the public library movement in the wake of the 1850 Act relied heavily on the donations of philanthropists . </P>

When did the first public library open in england
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