Clapton Library
CLAPTON LIBRARY, NORTHWOLD ROAD
Listed on the National Heritage List for England. Search over 400,000 listed places
Overview
- Heritage Category:
- Listed Building
- Grade:
- II
- List Entry Number:
- 1390564
- Date first listed:
- 15-Aug-2003
- List Entry Name:
- Clapton Library
- Statutory Address:
- CLAPTON LIBRARY, NORTHWOLD ROAD
Location
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Discover moreOfficial list entry
- Heritage Category:
- Listed Building
- Grade:
- II
- List Entry Number:
- 1390564
- Date first listed:
- 15-Aug-2003
- List Entry Name:
- Clapton Library
- Statutory Address 1:
- CLAPTON LIBRARY, NORTHWOLD ROAD
The scope of legal protection for listed buildings
This List entry helps identify the building designated at this address for its special architectural or historic interest.
Unless the List entry states otherwise, it includes both the structure itself and any object or structure fixed to it (whether inside or outside) as well as any object or structure within the curtilage of the building.
For these purposes, to be included within the curtilage of the building, the object or structure must have formed part of the land since before 1st July 1948.
The scope of legal protection for listed buildings
This List entry helps identify the building designated at this address for its special architectural or historic interest.
Unless the List entry states otherwise, it includes both the structure itself and any object or structure fixed to it (whether inside or outside) as well as any object or structure within the curtilage of the building.
For these purposes, to be included within the curtilage of the building, the object or structure must have formed part of the land since before 1st July 1948.
Location
- Statutory Address:
- CLAPTON LIBRARY, NORTHWOLD ROAD
The building or site itself may lie within the boundary of more than one authority.
- County:
- Greater London Authority
- District:
- Hackney (London Borough)
- Parish:
- Non Civil Parish
- National Grid Reference:
- TQ 34574 86649
Details
735/0/10132 NORTHWOLD ROAD 15-AUG-03 Clapton Clapton Library
II Public Library. 1913-14 by Edwin Cooper, FRIBA. Red brick, mansard roof of Cumberland slates. A long, rectangular building, one and a half storeys.
EXTERIOR: Two arched openings, the western containing the entrance, the eastern a window with rubbed brick keystones and tilework surrounds. Above each opening is a stone scrolled cartouche with festoon inscribed CLAPTON PUBLIC LIBRARY and with owl. Stone string course at plinth height below 7-window range in centre, each window of 12 panes with hinged upper sections set within surrounds of gauged red brick. Prominent eaves cornice.
INTERIOR: includes a bronze dedication plaque in entrance hall commemorating the library's opening on 14 January 1914. Tuscan pilasters to reading rooms on ground floor. Children's library on first floor is barrel-vaulted, with issue desk at west end looking down into stairwell.
HISTORY: Hackney adopted the Public Libraries Act in 1903, and built three libraries to designs by Edwin Cooper a decade later-Dalston (demolished), Homerton (q.v.) and Clapton. The library was funded by Andrew Carnegie, the industrialist and philanthropist who financed 2800 libraries worldwide by 1919. Planned central tower not executed.
SOURCES: The Builder, 17 October 1913. Elizabeth Robinson, C20 Buildings of Hackney (Hackney Society, 1999).
Included as one of three libraries in Hackney (c.f. Homerton, q.v.) designed by Sir Edwin Cooper in a restrained Classical style, with excellent use of materials, and funded by Andrew Carnegie.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
- Legacy System number:
- 490512
- Legacy System:
- LBS
Sources
Books and journals
Robinson, E, Twentieth Century Buildings in Hackney, (1999)
The Builder in 17 October, (1913)
Legal
This building is listed under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 as amended for its special architectural or historic interest.
Map
This map is for quick reference purposes only and may not be to scale. This copy shows the entry on 10-Jun-2026 at 18:13:19.
Download a full scale map (PDF)End of official list entry
All text content is available under the Open Government Licence v3.0 , except where otherwise stated. Any supplied maps are © Crown Copyright [and database rights] 2026 OS AC0000815036 and may not be reproduced without permission.