Rawtenstall Library
Queen’s Square, Rawtenstall, BB4 6QU
NOTE: The library service is currently operated by Lancashire County Council. The library building is currently undergoing renovation works and is temporarily closed to the public.
Further info here from Lancashire Council: Rawtenstall Library Renovations
A brief history
- 1902: Scottish-American philanthropist Andrew Carnegie offered £6,000 to build a public library in Rawtenstall.
- 1903: Birmingham architects Crouch, Butler & Savage won the design competition.
- 1904: The foundation stone was laid on 15 September.
- 1906: The library opened to readers on 30 June, with approximately 6,000 books.
- 1907: Andrew Carnegie personally attended the official opening on 1 June.
- 1911: A reference library was established upstairs.
- 1914: The building was extended, again with Carnegie funding.
- 1971: The building received Grade II listed status.
The library was originally intended to be part of a much larger civic complex, including a town hall and assembly rooms.
The money wasn’t available to complete that vision, so only the library was built. The undeveloped land became public gardens.
Sources
Historic England — Grade II listing