Parochial Libraries Act 1708
| Jurisdiction | UK Non-devolved |
| Citation | 1708 c. 14 |
| Year | 1708 |
(7 Ann.) C A P. XIV.
'W H E R E A S in many Places in the South Parts ofGreat Britain called England and Wales , the Provision for the Clergy is so mean, that the necessary Expence of Books for the better Prosecution of their Studies cannot be defrayed by them; and whereas of late Years, several charitable and well-disposed Persons have by charitable Contributions erected Libraries within several Parishes and DistrictsinEngland , and Wales ; but some Provision is wanting to preserve the same, and such others as shall be provided in the same Manner, from Embezilment;' Be it therefore enacted by the Queen's most Excellent Majesty, by and with the Advice and Consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the Authority of the same, That in every Parish or Place where such a Library is or shall be erected, the same shall be preserved for such Use and Uses, as the same is and shall be given, and the Orders and Rules of the Founder and Founders of such Libraries shall be observed and kept.
II Incumbents, &c. before they use the Library, shall give Security to preserve it.
II. And for the Encouragement of such Founders and Benefactors, and to the Intent they may be satisfied, that their pious and charitable Intent may not be frustrated; Be it also enacted by the Authority aforesaid, That every Incumbent, Rector, Vicar, Minister or Curate of a Parish, before he shall be permitted to use and enjoy such Library, shall enter into such Security by Bond or otherwise, for Preservation of such Library, and due Observance of the Rules and Orders belonging to the same, as the proper Ordinaries within their respective Jurisdictions, in their Discretion shall think fit; and in case any Bookor Books belonging to the said Library shall be taken away and detained, it shall and may be lawful for the said Incumbent, Rector, Vicar, Minister or Curate for the Time being, or any other Person or Persons, to bring an Action of Trover and Conversion, in the Name of the proper Ordinaries within their respective Jurisdictions; whereupon Treble Damages shall be given with full Costs of Suit, as if the same were his or their proper Book or Books, which Damages shall be applied to the Use and Benefit of the said Library.
III The Ordinary, &c. may inquire into the State of the Library, and amend the Defects;
III. And it is further enacted by the Authority aforesaid, That it shall and may be lawful to and for the proper Ordinary, or his Commissary or Official in his respective Jurisdiction, or the Archdeacon, or by his Direction his Official or Surrogate, if the said Archdeacon be not the Incumbent of the Placewhere such Library is, in his or their respective Visitation, to enquire into the State and Condition of the said Libraries, and to amend and redress the Grievances and Defects of and concerning the same, as to him or them shall seem meet; and it shall and may be lawful to and for the proper Ordinary, from time to time, as often as shall be thought fit, to appoint such Person or Persons, as he shall think fit, to view the State and Condition of such Libraries, and the said Ordinaries, Archdeacons or Officials respectively, shall have free access to the same at such Times as they shall respectively appoint.
IV Incumbent, &c. to make a Catalogue of the Books, to be delivered to the Ordinary.
IV. And be it also further enacted by the Authority aforesaid, That where any Library is appropriated to the Use of the Minister of any Parish or Place, every Rector, Vicar, Minister or Curate of the same, within six Months after his...
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