The Roots of a Free Public Library Movement in South Asia

The beginning of the movement for the establishment of libraries to be accessible to the general public in South Asia, free or on payment of a subscription, is spread over the period from the end of the Eighteenth century, when circulating libraries began to appear during the 1780's, to the first half of the Nineteenth century, when the Calcutta Public Library was opened in March 1836. Reviews significant Indian writings on the public library movement.