Lowestoft library

Brief description

The architect was George W. Leighton of Ipswich. From the entry linked below from today’s library “The building was extremely impressive, and very different to todays library. Books were not immediately accessible to readers, but had to be chosen from  a printed catalogue. The open access system was put in place in 1923. Sadly, in 1941 the library was destroyed by a bomb, although much of the stock was saved.”

Current status: Destroyed by a bomb in 1941

• Year grant given (if known): 1902
• Amount of grant: £6,000
• Year opened (and by who): 25 November 1905, Mrs E Tuttle, mayoress

Old photo of library (postcard):

Nothing in my collection yet. The library fb link includes a photo gallery.

Web links:

• Letter from the Lowestoft town clerk – regarding payment of the Carnegie funds (scanned by the University of Columbia library)
• On this day….. Lowestoft library on faceboook

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 Henry Munro-Cautley.

Awarded Grade II listing in 1977

Current status: Still open as a public library, run by Suffolk libraries (2021)

• 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 in 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
• Library Tourist visits Ipswich library