The Devon and Exeter Institution is a subscription library in the City of Exeter, Devon, founded in 1813 for "The general diffusion of science, literature and the arts". It is situated at 7, Cathedral Close, Exeter, in a building facing the north side of Exeter Cathedral which was formerly the Exeter townhouse of the Courtenay family of Powderham Castle.
Devon and Exeter Institution, 7 Cathedral Close, Exeter
Courtenay heraldic overmantel, c.1750, in 7 Cathedral Close
A subscription library is a library that is financed by private funds either from membership fees or endowments. Unlike a public library, access is often restricted to members, but access rights can also be given to non-members, such as students.
Biblioteka Załuskich, built in Warsaw in the mid-18th century
The British Museum was established in 1751 and had a library containing over 50,000 books.
Circulating library and stationery shop, Gulgong, Australia, 1870
Atwater Library of the Mechanics Institute of Montreal