was laid
on the 13th September,
A.D. 1854,
by
Sir Samuel Bignold, Knight,
Mayor of this City in the years
1833-4, 1848-9, 1853-4.
Henry Birkbeck, Esq., Sheriff.
John Rising Staff, Esq., Town Clerk.
Architect--Edward Everett Benest, City Surveyor."

The ceremony having been completed and the stone securely fixed in its
place, addresses were delivered on the contemplated advantages of the
library by the Mayor, the Rev. Edwin Sidney, M.A., Rector of Cornard
Parva, Suffolk, and author of various works, Mr. Samuel Morton Peto, M.P.
for Norwich, Sir J. P. Boileau, Bart., an archaeologist of Ketteringham,
who was Sheriff of Norfolk in 1844, Sir Fitzroy Kelly, M.P., who in the
early part of his legal career was on the Norfolk circuit, and two
members of the Council, Mr. W. J. Utten Browne, and Mr. J. H. Tillett.
The Town Clerk presented to the Mayor an address from the Norwich
District of the Manchester Unity of Oddfellows, begging "most
respectfully to tender the thanks of our numerous association to you and
the Corporation of this city for the manifestation of regard for the
Working Classes in having determined on the erection of a Free Library;
feeling assured that such an institution will be welcomed by a large
number of the industrious inhabitants, and will prove largely beneficial
to all who will avail themselves of the advantages it offers." In the
course of his address the Mayor said: "It has been my lot now, during my
life, which has not been a short one, to aid a great many undertakings in
this city--insurance offices, spinning factories, waterworks, literary
and scientific institutions, and public charities; but I have never lent
my assistance to any undertaking which more entirely commends itself to
my judgment than that in which I am this day engaged in commencing" . . .
"and I must here say that Mr. Tillett has been the main-spring of this
undertaking, for he has never lost sight of it since the act placed it in
the hands of the Corporation."

After the erection of the building had been commenced it was considered
that it would be highly advantageous if the School of Art was connected
with and formed part of the Library, and the Council authorised