Brief description
The site adjoined the municipal offices and was owned by the Council. The architect was the county surveyor: C. L. 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 (2020)
- Year grant given (if known): 1902
- Amount of grant: £2,500
- Year opened (and by who – if known): 14 October 1905
Photo of library in 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
- News article: Investing in Sowerby Bridge and Mytholmroyd libraries – confirming Sowerby Bridge library was due to reopen on 8 January 2018