Tag: demolished

Tividale library

Brief description

One of three public libraries opened in 1909 by Rowley Regis Urban District Council; the other two being Cradley Heath public library (listed Grade II) and Blackheath (listed Grade II but no longer a public library). The architects were Herbert Winkler Wills and John Anderson. The Shelf Life project notes that it was built from (or at least faced with) limestone.

Current status: Demolished.

  • Year grant given (if known):
  • Amount of grant:
  • Year opened (and by who – if known): 1909

Old photo of library (postcard):

Nothing in my collection yet

Web links:

Boscombe library

Brief description

Library was designed by borough architect Charles Thomas Miles.

Current status: Demolished in 1965, after the library moved to a new home.

    • Year grant given (if known):
    • Amount of grant: Total of £10,000 to build 4 libraries: Westbourne, Springbourne, Winton and Boscombe. Boscombe was allocated £4,000
    • Year opened (and by who – if known): 22 June 1910, by Mayor G E Bridge

Old photo of library (postcard):

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Nothing in my collection yet, but this image was shared (under cc licence) by Alwyn Ladell

Web links:

Boldon Colliery library

Brief description

The foundation stone was laid on Saturday 12 November 1904 by Mr JG Addison. Funding provided by Carnegie, and Mr Carr Ellison.

In 1937, the community received a grant of £200 from the Carnegie UK Trust, towards the cost of modernising the library. [source: article in the Sunderland Daily Echo, 27 July 1937]

Current status: Demolished in 1985

  • Year grant given (if known): 1904
  • Amount of grant: £1,500 [poss]
  • Year opened (and by who – if known): 1905

Old photo of library (postcard):

Nothing in my collection yet

 

Links:

  • Articles in the Shields Daily Gazette: A public library for Boldon Colliery, and in the Sunderland Daily Echo: Free library for Boldon Colliery (online via the BL newspaper archive)

 

Birchfield library

Brief description

Details found in the Gazeteer of Historic Public Library Buildings 1850-1940, say that the library was opened in 1904. Photos found on Birmingham Images website seem to indicate a different story. Their caption reads: “Interior of Birchfield Public Library, Perry Barr, looking remarkably smart in 1952. The building dates from 1874 but only became a branch library in 1886.” Perhaps the 1904 date refers to a Carnegie funded extension?

I found references on other sites to Birchfield Road library (Aston) – but no details. The Shelf-Life project has a pin on their map for Handsworth-Perry Barr Institute, Birchfield Road. Also marked as demolished.

Current status: Demolished in 2007

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

Old photo of library (postcard):

Nothing in my collection yet

Web links:

Wood Green library

Brief description

The architect was Charles J Gunyon. Few other references found, other than the line: A central library, built at the junction of Station and High roads with a donation from Andrew Carnegie, opened in 1907.

Current status: Demolished in 1973

  • Year grant given (if known):
  • Amount of grant:
  • Year opened (and by who – if known): 1907

Old photo of library (postcard):

Nothing in my collection yet

Web links:

Gorleston on Sea library

Brief description

Designed by the borough architect, J W Cockrill. The depot for the tram service was next door. The tram service gave way to buses in 1930, but the library remained until 1975, when the joint sites were developed into the present day library.

Current status: Demolished in 1975.

  • Year grant given (if known): 1905
  • Amount of grant: £2,000
  • Year opened (and by who – if known): 1907

 Old photo of library (postcard):

Nothing in my collection yet – but there is a picture in the news article below

Web links:

Crewton library, Derby

Brief description

The library once stood at the front of Alvaston Park was for several years supported by wooden beams as it lay empty and was finally demolished in 1968 owing to subsidence. Web ref – Alvaston and Crewton then and now). The same site then later has reference to Alvaston Library, Crewton, Derby, and says it was Alvaston library was founded in 1913 by the Carnegie UK Trust. Designed by Arthur Eaton and was completed in 1916 but did not
actually open until January 1920. In 1972 it ceased to be a library and was used as a store for Derby museum until it was demolished in 1978.

Another reference claims it opened in 1915, was closed to the public in 1971 and finally demolished in 1980

Nb I’ve also traced references to Alvaston library (in the Gazeteer of Historic Public Library Buildings). This references it as funded by the Carnegie UK Trust, architect Arthur Easton. Opened 1916, demolished 1978.

Current status: Demolished in 1978 – or 1980.

  • Year grant given (if known):
  • Amount of grant:
  • Year opened (and by who – if known): 1915, 1916, or 1920

Old photo of library (postcard):

Nothing in my collection yet – although I have seen an old postcard, which refs to it as Crewton library

Web links: