Mudie's Lending Library

Founded by Charles Edward Mudie (Chelsea, October 18, 1818 – October 28, 1890) (Wikipedia page ). In 1842, he began to lend books to students at the University of London, charging subscribers one guinea per year for the right to borrow one volume of a novel at a time. This proved so successful that in 1852 he moved his "Select Library" to larger premises at 509, 510 & 511 New Oxford Street,[3] at its junction with Museum Street and Hart Street, just a few yards south of the British Museum. London.

It finally closed in the 1930s.