Fifty Pence, 2000 First Day Coin Cover, Commemorating '150 Years of PUBLIC LIBRARIES' Issued by the Royal Mint, Choice.

PUBLIC LIBRARIES: a Brief History. The 1850 Public Libraries Act was the first of a series of Acts enabling local councils to provide free public libraries funded by a 1/2 rate. Many of the early public libraries were built by funds from private philanthropists, such as Andrew Carnegie. The Royal Mint & Royal Mail got together to mark the 150th anniversary of the Act with a commemorative fifty pence coin, and stamps.