Fenton library

Brief description

The site was gifted to the town by William Meath Baker (the Baker family owned a large pottery business in Fenton, and the street the library is on, is called Baker Street). The architect was F.R. Lawson.

Current status: Closed as a library in 2011, but see article linked below – plans are in hand to reopen. “Urban Vision’s plans also involve creating a community gallery, a specialist ‘built environment’ library, five units to be let out to small businesses and two meeting rooms.”

• Year grant given (if known):
• Amount of grant: £5,000
• Year opened (and by who – if known): 1907

Photo of library today (2017):

Old photo of library (postcard):

Nothing in my collection yet

Visited?

Yes, during our holiday in the Peak District in August 2017. The library was still closed, but looks to be in good condition, and I was heartened to find the newspaper article listed below, which hints of a positive future.

Web links:

• Article: Former library to be handed to regeneration charity (2017)
• Entry on the site: Photo history of Stoke on Trent

Stoke Newington library

Brief description

The main building was built in 1892, designed by Bridgman and Goss. It was extended 1904 by Sidney Goss with funding from Carnegie – adding a lecture hall and the children’s library. A later extension houses the war memorial.

Awarded Grade II listing in 2003

Current status: Still open as a public library, run by Hackney libraries (2017)

• Year grant given (if known):
• Amount of grant:
• Year opened (and by who – if known): The extended building was opened 11 June 1904, by Councillor John Glass JP

Photo of library today (2017):

Details:

Old photo of library (postcard):

Nothing in my collection yet

Visited?

Yes, in June 2017.

Web links:

• Entry on the listed buildings register

Sefton Park library

Brief description

Sefton Park, which was opened by AC himself, contained a children’s library, Liverpool’s first open access loan collection and an all-female staff (a tradition which is still maintained at this branch). It was designed by the city surveyor, Thomas Shelmerdine in the Tudor Revival style. Lots of interior details remain, including the simple art nouveau style railings around the gallery.

In the 1960s, a small flat roofed extension was added. This is now the children’s library (and not included in the listing!).

Awarded Grade II listing in 2012

Current status: Still open as a public library, run by Liverpool city council (2017)

• Year grant given (if known):
• Amount of grant: Liverpool received £40,000 in all – for 4 branches and 2 reading rooms. Sefton Park library cost £5,000
• Year opened (and by who – if known): 3 August 1911, by Andrew Carnegie

Photo of library today:

Details:

Old photo of library (showing AC at the opening ceremony):

Old photo of library (postcard):

Nothing in my collection yet

Visited?

Yes, in June 2017, on a visit to Liverpool which also took in Garston (another Carnegie legacy library), Kensington library, and Central library.

Web links:

• Entry on the listed buildings register

Ipswich library

Brief description

The Carnegie United Kingdom Trust made a grant of £22,500. Plans confirmed and building started in 1922. The architect was H Munro-Cautley.

Awarded Grade II listing in 1977

Current status: Still open as a public library, run by Suffolk libraries (2017)

• Year grant given (if known): 1921
• Amount of grant: £22,500
• Year opened (and by who – if known): formally opened on 3 September 1924 by Sir Charles Sherrington, G.B.E., O.M.

Photo of library today (2007):

Photo credit: Oxyman and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence

Old photo of library (postcard):

Nothing in my collection yet

Visited?

Not yet

Web links:

• Entry on the listed buildings register
• History of Ipswich library

Seven Kings library, Ilford

Brief description

The architect was Herbert Shaw.

Current status: Now Ilford Preparatory school (not sure when the library closed)

• Year grant given (if known):
• Amount of grant:
• Year opened (and by who – if known): 1909

Photo of library today (2012):

Photo credit: David Howard and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence

Old photo of library (postcard):

Web links:

Heckmondwike library

Brief description

A large, two-storied stone building with ornate gable-ends. The Clerk of Heckmondwike Urban District Council applied to Carnegie for a grant in 1902 and was offered £2,500 (Carnegie gave a further £38 in 1908). The architect was Henry Stead, a local man, and the site was given by Sir Thomas Firth (of Firth’s Carpets), who also gave £100 for books. The building, which was opened in January 25th, 1911, had tiled dados, oak furniture and hot water heating. The newsroom was on the ground floor and the lending library, reference section and workroom were on the first. Part of the ground floor was used as a rates office. Although modernised inside many of the old features remain.

Current status: Still open as a public library, run by Kirklees council (2017)

• Year grant given (if known): 1902
• Amount of grant: £2,538
• Year opened (and by who – if known): 25 January 1911

Photo of library today (2009):

Photo credit: Betty Longbottom and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence

Old photo of library (postcard):

Nothing in my collection yet

Visited?

Not yet

Web links:

Hartlepool library

Brief description

The foundation stone was laid by HH Murray JP on 27 May 1903. The architect was H.C. Crummack, Borough Engineer. A house for the librarian was built next door. Robinson John Marshall was the original contractor.

Awarded Grade II listing in 1985

Current status: Library closed in 1999 (moved to a new site) and the building was converted to offices. Its official re-opening was on June 15 June 2006. It now houses part of Hartlepool Council’s Libraries staff and is also home to the Council’s Sports Development Team (2009)

• Year grant given (if known):
• Amount of grant:
• Year opened (and by who – if known): 1903

Photo of library today (2014):

Photo credit: flickr user Tom Bastin (via cc licence)

Details:

Old photo of library (postcard):

Nothing in my collection yet

Visited?

Not yet

Web links:

• Entry on the listed buildings register
• Entry on the waymarking site