Wallasey Library*
1911 Wirral, England. Lat/Long 53.428889 -3.045833
Wallasey or Liscard Library is mentioned but not described in Pevsner (Cheshire 1971) and has no heritage designation. However, it is one of the least altered and best-preserved examples of a substantial symmetrical Carnegie library in the UK. Sited in a park, it still provides users with a delightfully bright top-lit interior with views out. A significant proportion of its fixtures and fittings have been retained. Although the bookcases of the central lending department are no longer arranged in a radial pattern as designed, they are clearly original. The “Fresh air inlets” noted under every ground floor window in the illustrated competition design[1] are also visible, indicating that it was designed along the same principles as our CFD model of Cradely Heath Library.
Architects: R.B. MacColl & George Edward Tonge of Manchester.
Heritage designation: none. Purpose built library; Carnegie grant: £9,000 10/08/1908. Open library, council managed.
[1] Building News 6th August 1909 p.195 & plt