This thesis investigates the impact of public libraries on the communities they serve during
times of unexpected conflict. Specifically, it seeks to critically explore to what extent the
public libraries in Yorkshire served as a place of intellectual sanctuary for the local working age
population during the years of the First World War (1914-1918). The research design
drew from Bryman (2016), Hill (1993), and Thomas (2006) to create an Adapted Framework
of archival research which combines elements of Thomas’ (2016) Constant Comparative
Analysis and Hammersley’s (1996) Complementarity Analysis. Using a multi-case-study
approach alongside qualitative and quantitative primary source archival material, sources
comprising critical academic literature, architectural schematics of local libraries,
photographs, and historical library statistics were accessed by conducting in-person fieldwork
and online archival research at five unique Yorkshire cities (Bradford, Hull, Leeds, Sheffield,
and York) in order to understand their social importance during the beginning of the 20th
century.
The literature review engaged with historical and contemporary sources, identifying four key
themes of the empirical work: public library availability, use, architecture, and finding the
self in the public library. The empirical findings found that the First World War directly
influenced change within each of the five fieldwork locations in terms of library service
availability, fluctuations in library use, intentionality and repurposing of library architecture,
and elements that encouraged finding one’s self.
It would not be realistic to state conclusively that public library services in Yorkshire steadily
served as an intellectual sanctuary for all members of the working-age population throughout
the years 1914-1918. However, the four identified elements employed in this research
(availability, use, architecture, and finding the self in the public library) have provided a
practical framework to understand how sanctuary evolved during that period and how it was
experienced by members of the local working age population during the First World War.
Although the use and impact of the public library fluctuated between 1914 and 1918, it is
possible to conclude that during times of unexpected conflict, public library services across
Yorkshire provided many citizens with both physical and intellectual sanctuary where they
could escape the turmoil of war.
