Toxteth Library
1902 – Liverpool, England. Lat/Long 53.395 -2.971388889
At Toxteth, Carnegie described the model of the branch library as his “ideal library”[i]. Toxteth was not funded by him but the building inspired an unsolicited gift of £13000 for a further branch library (West Derby)[ii] which was followed by further gifts.
An elaborate plaque records its opening by Carnegie on 14th October 1902 where he gave a widely reported speech on libraries vs Public Houses[iii]. It was reported that he had opened libraries at Falkirk, Greenock and one at Stirling en route and that he considered the funding of libraries in Scotland was “almost finished” and that he looked forward to making grants now in England[iv]. Earlier in the month it had been widely reported that Marylebone had rejected his offer of £30000, the most substantial rejection of funding he would receive for a library grant in the UK[v].
[i] Worcestershire Chronicle – Saturday 18 October 1902
[ii] Liverpool Echo – Wednesday 31 December 1902
[iii] London Daily News – Thursday 16 October 1902
[iv] Northants Evening Telegraph – Thursday 16 October 1902
[v] Manchester Courier and Lancashire General Advertiser – Wednesday 01 October 1902
Designed by: Thomas Shelmerdine (Corporation Architect and Surveyor) of Liverpool.
Heritage designation: LG II, 1975. Purpose built library; NOT a Carnegie funded library: Open library, council managed.
[i] Worcestershire Chronicle – Saturday 18 October 1902
[ii] Liverpool Echo – Wednesday 31 December 1902
[iii] London Daily News – Thursday 16 October 1902
[iv] Northants Evening Telegraph – Thursday 16 October 1902
[v] Manchester Courier and Lancashire General Advertiser – Wednesday 01 October 1902
Carnegie opened it and was used as an example for other Carnegie library buildings
Virtual Tour
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