Central Public Library

Description

This information is taken from the statutory List as it was in 2001 and may not be up to date.

SANDWELL MB HIGH STREET (south-west side) SP 0091 SW 14/103 Central Public Library

29.9.87 GV II Public library. 1907. By Stephen J Holliday of West Bromwich. Red brick with yellow terra cotta dressings. Main facade a symmetrical composition of two storeys and five bays with giant engaged fluted Ionic columns on pedestals.

The central bay has an open pediment supported on outer antae and inner free- standing columns. The ground floor windows have round heads with keystones.

The timber glazing bars incorporate Venetian lower lights with a central pedi- ment. The first floor windows are of three lights separated by brick mullions, except for the central one. This is of two round-headed lights under a round arch within the pediment. The doorway is approached by stone steps and has a round arch with glazing. Interior: open-well stair in central hallway has mosaic and tile decoration which includes inscription: "This building is the gift of Mr Andrew Carnegie to the Borough". (VCH, 72). Murals in stairwell and lending library, of c.1913-24, the latter illustrating the scenes from The Canterbury Tales. Some repartitioning of the library when it was re-organised in 1937-8, and these partitions and some shelving survives.



Listing NGR: SP0025191382

Content

This is part of the Series: IOE01/1018 IOE Records taken by John M Holt; within the Collection: IOE01 Images Of England

Rights

© Mr John M Holt. Source: Historic England Archive

This photograph was taken for the Images of England project