Abstract
This paper is intended to show the problems facing a small, ill-financed voluntary library in North London before its absorption into the far larger Stoke Newington Public Library. A brief history of Stoke Newington is given, mentioning its chief literary residents, such as Defoe, and its early libraries—private, circulating, and parish. More detail is given to the adoption of the Public Libraries Acts and early problems in establishing the library, such as the use of temporary premises. Then the Finsbury Park Voluntary Library is dealt with— its formation, popularity, facilities, and the question of rating, with references to similar libraries in London. This is followed by the adoption of the Acts, despite much opposition, at which it becomes South Hornsey Public Library, before eventually being taken over by Stoke Newington. The article concludes with a short review of the main problems facing such voluntary libraries.
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