Brief description
The former borough library of Stafford, originally known as the ‘New Free Library’, was designed by the Liverpool architects Briggs, Wolstenholme and Thornely in 1912 and extended in 1962 by the borough architect. It was partially funded by the charity of Andrew Carnegie, although apparently before the Carnegie United Kingdom Trust had been founded in 1913. Its foundation stone was laid by the Mayor of Stafford, Cllr. C W Miller on 19th February, 1913.
Current status? The building closed in 1998 when the library was moved into the centre of town, and initially became the Stafford Performing Arts centre. It was sold to a developer in 2011, but plans to turn it into a restaurant did not happen. When I saw it (2016) it was for sale.
- Year grant given (if known):
- Amount of grant:
- Year opened (and by who – if known): 1914
Photo of library today:
Visited?
Saw this building on 4 April 2016 – on the way to visit the new library, which is in the centre of town, about a 10 minute walk away.
Web links:
- Entry on the Register of Listed Buildings
- News article: Campaign to save Stafford’s old Carnegie gathers pace
The Carnegie legacy in England and Wales 
It is terrible that Stafford Council are considering converting this precious building into flats.
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