Bolton upon Dearne Carnegie Library
Location/Address
Carnegie House, Station Road, Bolton upon Dearne, S63 8JB
Type
Description
Library building provided thanks to funding from Andrew Carnegie; https://carnegielibrariesofbritain.com/ notes that "Carnegie funding was critical to the public library movement in the UK". The library building is now in use as a boxing club.
According to https://carnegielegacyinengland.wordpress.com/category/south-yorkshire/ the building closed as a library in 1973, having opened in 1903, 1905 or 1906 (depending on source consulted); the size of the grant received is not recorded. According to https://carnegielibrariesofbritain.com/explore-the-libraries/interactive-map/, the architect was John Walker Wilson.
There is a foundation stone on the side elevation of the building that reads "Laid by G.A. Thompson, Esq. J.P.. March 21st 1905". This suggests that the grant from Carnegie was probably agreed in 1903, construction works were underway in 1905 and the building itself opened in 1906. A second stone further along the elevation reads "Members of Council: G.A. Thompson. Chairman. E. Turner. A.C. Law. G Dunkerley; A. Beighton, G. Proberts, W.H. Horn. H.Cu--. -.Wood.
The building dates to the short period when Bolton upon Dearne was a separate Urban District Council (from 1899 to 1937). The size of the building suggests that the building combined a library service and council offices and https://bolton.dearnevalleyhistory.org.uk/article/the-development-of-the-dearne-district/ has a report from the Mexborough & Swinton Times of 22nd July 1927, saying of the Urban District Council for Bolton "The real development of the district dates from the earliest part of the present century. The Council built themselves commodious offices, together with a public library which they were assisted by the Carnegie trust, in 1905". An earlier report of elections at Bolton, on 3rd April 1909 is quoted as saying "Mr. G. A. Thompson, of the Horse and Groom Hotel, Goldthorpe, has a record of good service to recommend him. He was chairman of the Council in that conspicuous period of the opening of the Library and the Council Offices".
The Sheffield Daily Telegraph of 20th September 1904 includes an invitation for tenders for the erection of Council Offices and Carnegie Library - and plans, specifications and quantities were to be obtained from J.W.Wilson, Esq., Architect, of Hoyland. An earlier article on Bolton Upon Dearne Urban District Council, in the Mexborough & Swinton Times, from 23rd March 1900, records Mr John Walker Wilson of Hoyland as Surveyor for the council - indicating that the design was done in-house.
Historic photos available online show that there has been a first-storey extension over the front porch and a further chimney added above that frontage since the original construction; the side entrance porch has also been altered and the steps here removed and replaced by an access ramp.
Statement of Significance
Asset type
Bolton upon Dearne Carnegie Library (and Council Offices)Age
The building dates to 1905/1906 and is of merit, being an example of cultural infrastructure that reflects a particular period of investment in library provision. The Historic England listing guide on Culture & Entertainment Buildings (2017) notes p.3 that "An 1850 Act permitted local authorities to build libraries... A further Libraries Act in 1892 made it easier for urban authorities to raise funds, and thenceforth libraries were built in unprecedented numbers." Local authority provision was boosted by funding from Andrew Carnegie (1835 -1919). Marking the 100th anniversary of Carnegie's death, the Carnegie UK Trust noted "When the first Carnegie library was opened in 1883, only 23% of the UK population had access to a public library service, and by 1915, this had risen to 60%, largely thanks to Carnegie’s contribution" (see https://www.cilips.org.uk/building-on-carnegies-public-library-legacy-carnegie-uk-trust/ ).Rarity
Carnegie provided funding for 9 libraries within South Yorkshire, of which 3 stand within the Metropolitan Borough of Barnsley - the others being at Wombwell and Penistone. This is the only Barnsley example known to have combined a library and council offices in the same building.Architectural and Artistic Interest
Designed by John Walker Wilson, Surveyor/Architect for Bolton upon Dearne Urban District Council.Group Value
The adjoining building on Station Road must be the caretakers house referred when the Urban District Council invited applications for the combined duties of Caretaker and Librarian (Sheffield Daily Telegraph 16th September 1905), saying "The successful candidate will occupy the Caretaker's House (free from rent and rates)"Historic Interest
The library building reflects the philanthropy of Andrew Carnegie and the desire and determination of the Bolton upon Dearne Urban District Council to secure funding for a free Public Library for the district. It helps to tell the story of social change - Carnegie funding was critical to supporting the public library movement in the UK. Andrew Carnegie is quoted as saying "there was no use to which money could be applied so productive... as the founding of a public library in a community" (see https://www.carnegie.org/interactives/foundersstory/#!/ ). In addition, the building reflects the identity of the then new Urban District Council. The Historic England guidance on listing of 'Law & Government Buildings' notes "In 1894 further municipal reform led to the formation of Urban District Councils, serving small towns and suburban areas, and Rural District Councils, administering groups of rural parishes. The purpose-built ‘council offices’ that resulted were often scaled-down versions of their inner city counterparts" and goes on to say "This category of buildings often has strong meanings for residents, and due respect must be given to their historic significance as the embodiment of local pride".Archaeological Interest
Surviving historic fabric.Landmark Status
The building is prominently sited on the main road through Bolton upon Dearne and is a physical landmark. Given its previous use as a library it has strong communal associations and its association with the short-lived Bolton upon Dearne Urban District Council also gives it historical associations.Images and Documents
Date Listed
26 Aug 2022
Last Updated
23 Mar 2023
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