An early building used by the Town Library

In the 1830s the Literary and Scientific Institute met in the Agricultural Hall, what is now the Museum. The Library had no permanent home and moved between several buildings. It was a collection of books donated or purchased by the members of the Literary and Scientific Institution and was moved from house to house.

Picture of a building in Market Place, one of the first buildings used by the Institution, (from a drawing of Wiseman’s drapery and grocery shop made by Frank E. Emson.) The building was owned by the Gibson family and was later demolished to make way for their bank, now Barclay’s Bank.