The Public Library

The Public Library, written by Ernest A. Baker and first published in 1922, is a comprehensive treatise on the history, policy, and practice of public libraries in Great Britain. The book advocates for the integration of public libraries with adult education and calls for a coordinated national library system. It discusses the evolution of library services, governance, and funding, while emphasizing the importance of various library functions, including lending, reference work, and children's services, as well as the need for reform in library practices to better serve communities.