" The
Minute Book does not show that the fines for absence were usually
disposed of half-yearly, but the following memorandum was made therein on
April 1st, 1690: "That this day we present cast up ye forfeitures of ye
two last years, viz. 1688, 1689 And the several persons are indebted in
all two pounds, ten shillings & four pence as appears by ye particulars
in ye Book of forfeitures."
For the first 108 years of the Library's existence it remained a
reference library, and books were not lent, but surreptitious borrowing
probably took place occasionally. At any rate on December 2nd, 1684, the
following memorandum was made: "That BP J. Ushers treatise de Macedonum
et Assyriorum [Asianorum] anno solari was missing this meeting yt was, by
ye under-library-keepers attestation here the last meeting and has bin
missing this three weeks, 'tis desired that he that has it would be
pleased to restore it, and not to do any such thing as is contrary to wt
he hath subscribed." By 1716 the members had considered it desirable to
allow the borrowing of books for home reading, and on May 7th, 1716,
occurs the following record of the petition of the members to the City
Court:
"This Society having requested ye Court to give leave yt an order
might be made to render ye Library more usefull it was accordingly
ordered by ye Court
"Norwich.
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