Leisure has been contested as a valid role of public libraries in the UK since their introduction in 1850 yet it has been a major reason for the public's use of libraries. Where the educational role and information provision function of libraries have been seen as purposeful and worthwhile, the leisure role has been generally valued less with the library profession. This article is the first of two that explore the leisure role of public libraries in the UK and provides a historical overview of leisure reform, public library acts, the great fiction debate, the popularization of libraries, the educational and information role and the recognition of the leisure function.