Rawmarsh library

Brief description

The present building dates from 1904, a fact noted on the commemorative plaque outside the front entrance. It is a traditional red brick building on the main Parkgate and Rawmarsh Road. Carnegie offered £3,000 to Rawmarsh Urban District Council in 1903, and a further £72 in 1906. The architect was Mr J Platts.

Current status: After closure (2011?), was used as council offices, then news in 2016 confirmed plans to convert it to accommodation for ‘vulnerable young people’. (2017)

• Year grant given (if known): 1903
• Amount of grant: £3000
• Year opened (and by who – if known): 5 June 1905

Photo of library today (2008):

From Geograph:  © Copyright Alan Murray-Rust 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:

• News: Fears for the future of Rawmarsh’s carnegie library (2011)
• News: Plans for Rawmarsh home for ‘vulnerable youngsters’ approved (2016)

Swinton library

Brief description

The library opened in 1906 and contained the living quarters for the librarian.  The design also incorporated a lecture room for educational purposes.  The library was re-modelled and re-furnished in 1932 (details and photos in the web link below).

Its use as a library was discontinued in 1990s when a new community library was opened in the shopping centre up the hill. ‘Carnegie House’ is now a series of flats. The florally embellished ‘Free Library’ lettering high up on the corner is still clearly seen.

Current status: Residential (2017)

• Year grant given (if known):
• Amount of grant: £3000
• Year opened (and by who – if known): 25 June 1906 by Sir William Holland MP

Photo of library today (2005):

From geograph: © Copyright George Middleton and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence

Details:

Old photo of library (postcard):

Visited?

Not yet

Web links:

• Website: Swinton heritage society

Thorne library

Brief description

The foundation stone was laid by James Servant, on 14 December 1903

Current status: Closed in 2007. Sold in 2010, current status unsure (2017)

• Year grant given (if known):
• Amount of grant:
• Year opened (and by who – if known): 1905

Photo of library today (2010):

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

Details:

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

Old photo of library (postcard):

Visited?

Not yet

Web links:

• Entry on Geograph (note, photo shows for sale sign, caption says ‘sold’)
• National Archives: Plans of Thorne library (the record is a reference to plans stored in Doncaster archives)

Wombwell library

Brief description

The architect was AB Linford. The foundation stone was laid on 29 June 1905 by the Rev George Hadfield, chairman of the Education committee.

Current status: Still open as a public library, run by Barnsley MBC (2016)

• Year grant given (if known): 1903
• Amount of grant: £3,000
• Year opened (and by who – if known): 17 March 1907

Photo of library today (2007):

Wombwell library, © Copyright Steve Fareham 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:

• Entry on the waymarking site – includes a photo of the foundation stone.

Penistone library

Brief description

The architect was Henry R Collins. The doors are marked with a small ‘AC’ monogram in stained glass, and ‘Carnegie Free Library’ is carved on the stone lintel.

Current status: Replaced by a new library in the 1960s. Now used as council offices. (2016)

• Year grant given (if known):
• Amount of grant: Carnegie matched the funding raised by local people.
• Year opened (and by who – if known): 1913

Photo of library today (2007):

Penistone library, © Copyright David Ward 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:

• Article about the current library, contains a brief reference to the Carnegie funded library

Bolton-on-Dearne library

Brief description

The architect was John Walker Wilson.

Current status: The public library closed in 1973, the building is now a boxing club (B.O.D.Y – Bolton on Dearne Youth, in the Carnegie Centre) (2016)

• Year grant given (if known):
• Amount of grant:
• Year opened (and by who – if known): 1903, 1905 or 1906 [3 different sources]

Photo of library today:

Not yet obtained.

Details:

Old photo of library (postcard):

Nothing in my collection yet

Visited?

Not yet

Web links:

• B.O.D.Y – the current occupants
• Welcome to Barnsley website: Goldthorpe (contains info about Bolton on Dearne)

Tinsley library

Brief description

Andrew Carnegie offered £1,500 to Tinsley Urban District Council in 1903. The site was given by Earl Fitzwilliam, and the architects were Messrs Holmes & Walson of Sheffield. Designed in the renaissance style, it was faced in local pressed bricks and Grenoside stone dressings.

Current status: Boarded up when we visited in 2009, can’t find out what its current status is – if anyone local can let me know, please leave a comment (2016)

• Year grant given (if known):
• Amount of grant: £1,500
• Year opened (and by who – if known): 8 June 1905

Photo of library today (2009):

Details:

Old photo of library (postcard):

Visited?

Yes, in 2009, when it was boarded up (having been a childrens centre)

Web links: