parish library
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Parish libraries were established in England, primarily for the use of clergy. One of the earliest was founded in Grantham in 1598, with some of its original chained books still preserved. These libraries were sometimes funded by donations, such as the one established in Manchester in 1653 by merchant Humphrey Chetham. Later, in the 18th century, circulating and subscription libraries became popular in England and the United States, offering services and lending collections to members and influencing literary tastes.1
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