PUBLIC libraries have been part of the fabric of British community life for more than 150 years but Petersfield can lay claim to having established one of the oldest in Hampshire – if not the country.

According to a blue plaque put up at 19 High Street by Petersfield Area Historical Society, the building which now houses Ask restaurant was the home to the town’s first library in 1740.

At that time, there were no lending libraries as we would recognise them today but books were lent to subscribers for payment as a commercial enterprise and many libraries of the 18th and early 19th centuries were run within shops.

Although the Public Libraries Act enabling borough councils to set up free libraries was passed in 1850, the subscription or circulating libraries continued to be popular.

Some of these included reading rooms, such as the one founded by Gideon Duplock at 6 and 8 High Street in 1838.

He had moved to the town as a bookseller and lived at number 8, now Poundland and previously the Woolworth’s store.

In 1841, Mrs Sarah Henson, who lived in part of the house at 6 High Street, currently occupied by Willow, a women’s fashion shop, was the librarian.

She continued this work with her profession as a staymaker when she moved to The Square a few years later. Mrs Henson must have built up quite a loyal following as it is recorded she had 1,000 books and 50 subscribers in 1859.

In 1865, George Finlay became librarian. He was the organist at St Peter’s Church and lived at 20 High Street where there was also a reading room.

Readings may have been given as social occasions or they have been a place to read in comfort. Today this building is occupied by The Rowans Hospice charity shop in premises which extend along Folly Lane.

From 1867 until late in the century, a Working Men’s Reading Room was in The Square with Mr Duplock being its secretary and he was followed in the position by Fred Nichols.

Residents’ appetite for libraries and learning is apparent from the establishment and support of Petersfield Literary and Debating Society, founded in 1884, which had its own library.

In 1910, a member of the society proposed the amalgamation of the town’s five libraries into one with the suggestion it should be taken under the wing of Petersfield Urban District Council – the then local authority.

The first official town library was established in 1926, by Hampshire County Library Service, running alongside the parish library and that of the working men’s club which were restricted to their members. It was in rooms above 13 High Street, now Superdrug, where it was run by Edgar Morris and several assistants.

In 1934, the national chain of Boots the chemist took over 10 High Street and its popular Booklover subscription Library was welcomed and well-used by Petersfield readers.