Bridgend library

Brief description

The architect was PJ Thomas of Bridgend. Lord Dunraven donated three quarters of the cost of the site, the remainder was raised through public subscription. The contractor was another local firm: Price and Morgan of Bridgend. Building started in 1906, and was completed in 1907.

Remained a library for 106 years, closing in 2012. During 2013, local organisation Bridgend Arts Ltd approached Bridgend Town Council with a suggestion to use the building to develop an Arts Centre. The building was refurbished in 2015.

Awarded Grade II listing in 1986

Current status: Now known as Carnegie House. (2021)

• Year grant given: 1902
• Amount of grant: £2,000
• Year opened (and by who): 29 August 1907, by John Randall, an agent of the Dunraven estate.

Photo of library in 2020:

Photo credit: Oriel Prizeman 2020. Image shared under CC license CC-BY-NC-SA 4.0 Cardiff University AHRC Shelf Life project

Details:

Old photo of library (postcard):

Nothing in my collection yet

Visited?

Not yet

Web links:

• Entry on the listed buildings register (British)
• Report on the CADW listed buildings register
• History of Carnegie House (arts centre website)

Mansfield library

Brief description

The foundation stone was laid by Mrs AB Markham on 6 July 1904. Land for the library was donated by the Duke of Portland. The architects were Ernest R Sutton and FW Gregory.

Awarded Grade II listing in 1994

Current status: Converted in 1975 and became the Mansfield arts centre (2017)

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

Photo of building in 2017:

© Copyright David Hallam-Jones and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence

Note the additional storey!

Details:

Old photo of library (postcard):

Visited?

Not yet

Web links:

• Entry on the listed buildings register

Workington library

Brief description

Originally built as the public library and ajoining Carnegie lecture hall. The open competition attracted 74 entries and the winners were Messrs W.A Mellon and George Wittet (of York). Alderman R.E Highton formally laid the foundation stone for the new library on 10th September 1903. The contractor for the red sandstone building was Messrs J.I Wilson and Co.

From 1907 The Council Chamber (Now Monroe’s Bar) was located in the Carnegie Library and was used by the Borough Council for its meetings. The lecture hall became a picture house in the early days of cinema, and remained one until 1958.

Awarded Grade II listing in 1985

Current status: Closed in 1973, converted into the Carnegie arts centre and theatre. (2017)

• Year grant given (if known):
• Amount of grant: £7500
• Year opened (and by who – if known): 6 October 1904 by Alderman Robert Ernest Highton JP

Photo of library today (2010):

From Geograph: © Copyright Rose and Trev Clough and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence

Details:

From Geograph: © Copyright Rose and Trev Clough and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence

Old photo of library (postcard):

Visited?

Not yet

Web links:

• Entry on the listed buildings register
• Website: history of the Carnegie theatre and arts centre

Deptford library

Brief description

On 27th October 1905 a Public Libraries Service was opened in the former borough of Deptford. Andrew Carnegie promised a sum of £9000 for a central library and £4,500 each for two branch libraries. The present site was purchased for the central library in October 1909 for £5,600. Originally three shops stood here. Andrew Carnegie was again approached in August 1910 with a request to increase the funding. The final figure for the central library amounted to £12,000.

The architect was Sir H (?) Brumwell Thomas, who also designed West Greenwich library.

The Deptford Central Library was closed down in June 1991. The vacant building suffered heavily from vandalism, attracted squatters and became a venue for illegal raves. The damage in the first year was estimated at £70,000. The local pressure group, the Friends of Deptford Library, convinced the local authority that the building not be sold for redevelopment but remain in community usage and in March 1994 Lewisham ARthouse moved in.

Awarded Grade II listing in 1973.

Current status: Now an arts centre (2016)

• Year grant given (if known):
• Amount of grant: £12,000
• Year opened (and by who – if known): 18 July 1914

Photo of library today:

Details:

Old photo of library (postcard):

Nothing in my collection yet

Visited?

Yes, in 2006, but the building wasn’t open, so we only saw the outside.

Web links:

• Entry on the listed buildings register
• Lewisham ARthouse

Hackney library

Brief description

Foundation stone laid by HRH Princess Christian on 23 March 1907. The architect was Henry Crouch.

Current status: Now an arts venue (2016)

• Year grant given (if known):
• Amount of grant: £12,000
• Year opened (and by who – if known): 28 May 1908 by the Prince and Princess of Wales

Photo of library today (2009):

Details:

Old photo of library (postcard):

Nothing in my collection yet

Visited?

Yes, saw it in 2009.

Web links:

Homerton library

Brief description

Designed by Sir Thomas Edwin Cooper, the entire building was built from scratch in just 9 months, 1912-13.

Given Grade II listing in 1981.

Current status: Closed as a library in 1974, became Chats Palace arts centre. (2016)

• Year grant given (if known):
• Amount of grant:
• Year opened (and by who – if known):  1913

Photo of library today (2010):

Photo credit: flickr user sarflondondunc (cc licence)

Old photo of library (postcard):

Nothing in my collection yet

Visited?

Not yet

Web links:

• Entry on the listed buildings register
• What is Chats Palace?
• Chats Palace to mark centenary of building

Wakefield library

Brief description

Known as the Drury Lane library, it was designed by Trimmell, Cox & Co of Woldingham, Surrey and built by Bagnall Brothers of Wakefield. The foundation stone was laid on 15 February 1905 by  the mayor of Wakefield, Mr Alderman Childe.

The first librarian was Mr George Wood, who remained in post for 32 years. The library was extended in 1935 and a new junior library was opened in 1939.

Current status: No longer a public library, the building has been redeveloped into a facility for artists. It provides studios and exhibition space. It reopened in November 2015 following a  £3 million programme of work. (2016)

• Year grant given (if known): 1904
• Amount of grant: £8,000
• Year opened (and by who – if known): 2 June 1906, by Andrew Carnegie

Photo of library today:

Not yet obtained

Details:

Old photo of library (postcard):

Nothing in my collection yet

Visited?

Not yet

Web links:

• History of the library
• The Art House – story of how the new venue developed
• News article: New chapter in the history of Wakefield’s Carnegie Library (includes video) [May 2015]

New Cross library

Brief description

Designed by Gerald Warren and Stanley E Castle.

Current status: now a music studio [2016]

• Year grant given (if known):
• Amount of grant:
• Year opened (and by who – if known): 24 July 1911

Photo of library today:

Old photo of library (postcard):

Not yet in my collection

Visited?

Drove past this former library, the carving above the door confirms it as a carnegie (just – its very faint!).

Web links:

• Music Room London – the current occupants [2016]
• RIBA have a print of the original designs for sale

Levenshulme library

Brief description

The first brick was laid on 5 December 1903 and the library opened in 1904. The architect was James Jepson.

Current status: Closed in 2016 when the new Arcadia library and leisure centre opened in central Levenshulme. See news article linked below – the building has been redeveloped, and reopened as an arts and community centre in 2018.

• Year grant given (if known):
• Amount of grant:
• Year opened (and by who – if known): 1904

Photo of library in 2016:

Detail:

Old photo of library (postcard):

Visited?

Visited on 13 April 2016 (after it had closed, so I only saw the outside).

Web links:

• • Goodbye Levenshulme library blog post when the library closed – containing lots of photos of the interior.
  • The streets where you lived – if you scroll down this page you’ll find another postcard of the Library when it stood alone – with no trees in front.
  • News article: Levenshulme’s old library is set to reopen for the first time in two years
  • History: Website of the community group that now runs the building – contains lots of material relating to the opening of the library [updated – thanks to link shared in the comments]