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
A public library is a library, most often a lending library, that is accessible by the general public and is usually funded from public sources, such as taxes. It is operated by librarians and library paraprofessionals, who are also civil servants.
Image: Milwaukee Central Library Mar 10
Image: Adrar la bibliothèque مكتبة ادرار
Image: Taoyuan Main Public Library 2022 12 22
Image: Biblioteca Vasconcelos e Insignia