Early days
The first circulating libraries in the UK were formed during the mid-eighteenth century and allowed books to be borrowed for a specified loan period after payment of a subscription. Several libraries were attached to shops, notably W. H. Smith and Harrods.
The Boots Book Lending service was established in 1898 at the instigation of Florence Boot, initially in the small number of shops which had a stationery department. The early ...
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