Withington library

Brief description

On 13th October 1911, a library service was set up by the City Council in a house on the site of the present building. This had a stock of 1,861 books, as well as a newsroom. It soon became clear that a more substantial service in a purpose-built building was required. The present building was designed by Henry Price, a council architect who also designed Didsbury and Chorlton libraries.

Withington library was one of the first in Manchester to have a young people’s reading room.

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

• Year grant given (if known):
• Amount of grant: Partly financed by the Carnegie UK Trust: £5,000 from a total cost of £15,500
• Year opened (and by who – if known): 30 May 1927, by the Earl of Elgin and Kincardine (Treasurer of the Carnegie UK Trust and President of the Library Association)

Photo of library today (2017):

 

© Copyright Gerald England and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence

Details:

Old photo of library (postcard):

Nothing in my collection yet

Visited?

Not yet

Web links:

• Withington history: Article on Withington library

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Didsbury library

Brief description

John Henry Price (city architect) was the architect of Didsbury Library, on Wilmslow Road and he described it as; ‘designed in the fifteenth century gothic style with tracery windows and emblems of Science, Knowledge, Literature, Music and Arts and Crafts in stone distributed over the building’. He also designed Chorlton library.

Awarded Grade II listing in 1974

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

• Year grant given (if known):
• Amount of grant:
• Year opened (and by who – if known): Saturday 15 May 1915

Photo of library today (2011):

Photo © Gerald England (cc-by-sa/2.0)

Details:

Old photo of library (postcard):

Nothing in my collection yet

Visited?

Not yet

Web links:

• • Entry on the listed buildings register
  • News article: History of Didsbury Library to be explored during centenary celebrations (incl photo gallery)

 

Thornton Heath library

Brief description

The library was substantially refurbished and extended – with work starting in 2009, and completed in 2010.

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

• Year grant given (if known):
• Amount of grant:
• Year opened (and by who – if known): 1914

Photo of library today (2010):

Photo © Christopher Hilton (cc-by-sa/2.0)

And one from 2009 (pre-extension)

Photo © Peter Trimming (cc-by-sa/2.0)

Details:

Old photo of library (postcard):

Nothing in my collection yet

Visited?

Not yet

Web links:

• Article: Refurbishment of Thornton Heath library – completed 2010

 

Sowerby Bridge library

Brief description

The site adjoined the municipal offices and was owned by the Council. The architect was C. H. Whitehead. Originally there was a lending library, ladies’ reading room, reading room, and reference section. The reading room was probably at the front of the building as this was top lit, and the lending library was probably at the rear. It had wood block floors. The total cost was £2,869.

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

• Year grant given (if known): 1902
• Amount of grant: £2,500
• Year opened (and by who – if known): 14 October 1905

Photo of library today (2017):

This is how I saw the library (see note below). Look forward to updating this photo when it has reopened!

Photo © Dr Neil Clifton (cc-by-sa/2.0) 2007

Details:

Old photo of library (postcard):

Nothing in my collection yet

Visited?

Yes, in 2017, but as it was closed for refurbishment, I’ve only seen the outside – shrouded in scaffolding.

Web links:

• Sowerby Bridge – a brief history (brief mention of the library)
• News article: 100 years of the borrowers (2005) written to promote plans for centenary celebrations

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