A library is a vital institution in any city, and Leeds is no exception, boasting several libraries serving its residents. Today, we delve into the history and development of Leeds Central Library, located in the heart of the city. Read more about its fascinating story below. Next on leeds1.one.
The Establishment of the Library
The story of Leeds Central Library began in 1878, with construction taking place until 1884. In April 1884, the library officially opened its doors to the public. However, the building was originally designed to house Leeds municipal offices. A competition was held to select the building’s design, attracting 26 submissions. The winning design was created by Leeds resident George Corson.
Corson envisioned dividing the building into two sections. The “popular” section included a free public library, while the “business” side housed a large cash office for payments related to gas, water, and rates, along with spaces for the district engineer and sanitation department. The total cost of the building was approximately £120,000.
In 1888, the library was joined by a new building, the Art Gallery, designed by architect William Henry Thorp.
In 1918, a Commercial and Technical Library was established and later relocated to the Tiled Hall in 1955. The new space allowed for expansion, including a lending collection and a reference section. A staff gallery was also added to the Tiled Hall.
In 1998, the Music Library moved into the Tiled Hall, but it remained there for just one year before the Central Library underwent renovations. These refurbishments were completed in 2007.
Architectural Features of the Building
The architecture of Leeds Central Library deserves special mention. The building was constructed from Yorkshire stone sourced from quarries in Dacre Banks, Harehills, Meanwood, and Whetwood. Westmorland slate was used for the roof. The stairs and columns were crafted from granite, while external stone carvings were the work of Benjamin Payler and Matthew Taylor.
The main entrance to the council offices was originally on Calverley Street. The foyer columns were made of marble, and an alabaster arch was created by Farmer & Brindley. The building also features beautiful stained glass, though their origin remains unknown. Additionally, the library boasts intricately designed marble window sills and blue-and-white floral tiles produced by Smith and Co., Coalville. Other tiles were supplied by Minton, Hollins and Co., and Maw and Co.
The Tiled Hall is a highlight of the building, known for its luxurious appearance. Initially, it served as the main reading room and hosted the library’s opening ceremony. The floor was made from high-quality parquet using oak, walnut, and ebony. The roof is an artistic masterpiece, so much so that staff feared visitors might spend more time admiring it than reading books and newspapers.
Today, the Tiled Hall houses a café.
Fascinating Facts About Libraries Around the World
Leeds Central Library has a unique history and architecture, but libraries worldwide also boast intriguing stories:
- The oldest library was created by the Sumerians, though it housed clay tablets rather than books.
- In the Middle Ages, books were highly valuable and chained to prevent theft.
- Modern libraries store approximately 130 million works globally.
- Persian vizier Abdul Kassem Ismail traveled with his personal library of 117,000 books, transported by 400 camels.
- The Library of Alexandria, the greatest of ancient libraries, taught philosophers like Aristotle and Euclid. Unfortunately, it was destroyed, but not before taxing ships entering the city with books for its collection.
- The Library of Congress is the world’s largest, holding around 155 million books and attracting 1.7 million visitors annually. In the U.S., there are more public libraries than McDonald’s restaurants.
- Notorious book thief Stephen Blumberg stole over 23,000 books from 268 libraries, causing $20 million in damages.
- Philanthropist Andrew Carnegie funded and built 2,509 libraries, with over 1,600 located in the United States.