Glazed wall tiles and Architectural Faience

Entrance to Morley Library, Leeds, W.E. Putman (Borough Engineer) 1906

The use of faience or glazed tiles and bricks in Carnegie Libraries and indeed all public buildings of the era is a familiar sight. It was a popular choice of finish for its decorative and hygienic properties. Earlier work has identified that the prevalence of green coloured tiles is partly explained by their being particularly recommended for libraries and other educational buildings as the colour was believed to prevent eye strain.

Example of trade advertisement from: SEARS, J. E. (1893). The architects’, surveyors’ and engineers’ compendium and complete catalogue … seventh annual issue.

The following open Carnegie libraries have been identified in this project as featuring glazed tiles on their interior walls:

Dundee – Arthurstone Community LibraryWilliam Alexander (City Architect) & James Thomson19055 Arthurstone TerraceDD4 6RT
Ewart Library (Dumfries)Alan B. Crombie1904Catherine St DumfriesDG1 1JB
West Calder LibraryWilliam Baillie190424-26 Main St EH55 8DR
Ayr Carnegie Library Campbell Douglas & Morrison189312 Main StreetKA8 8EB
Dartford Central Library & MuseumThomas Edward Tiffin (Town Surveyor)1916Market StDA1 1EU
Gravesend LibraryEdmund John  Bennett1905Windmill StDA12 1AQ
Burnley Library George Hartley and Arthur Race (Borough Engineer)193019-29 Parker LnBB11 2BD
Accrington Carnegie Public LibraryWilliam J. Newton (Borough Engineer)1908St James’ StBB5 1NQ
Liverpool – Garston LibraryThomas  Shelmerdine (Corporation Architect and Surveyor)1909Bowdon RoadL19 1QN
Liverpool – Toxteth Library (Soth-end)Thomas  Shelmerdine (Corporation Architect and Surveyor)1902Windsor St, Liverpool L8 1XF
Milnrow Library S. Butterworth & W.H. Duncan190857 Newhey RdOL16 3NP
Sandwell – West Bromwich Central LibraryStephen James Holliday1907316 High StB70 8DZ
Sandwell – Wednesbury LibraryCrouch Butler and Savage1908Walsall StWS10 9EH
Keighley LibraryArthur Ernest McKewan & James Arthur Swan 1904North StreetBD21 3SH
Leeds – Morley LibraryW.E. Putman (Borough Engineer)1906Commercial St,LS27 8HZ
Cardiff – Cathays LibrarySpeir & Bevan1907Fairoak RoadCF24 4PW
Thornton Heath Library (Croydon)Eric Edwin Hodder & G.F. Carter 1914190 Brigstock RdCR7 7JB
Wallasey (Liscard) Central LibraryR.B. MacColl & George Edward Tonge191117 Earlston Rd CH45 5DX
Manchester – Failsworth Library Ernest Ogden & Percy Cartwright Hoy1909397 Oldham RdM35 0AE
Royton Library S. Butterworth & W.H. Duncan1907Rochdale RdOL2 6QJ
ClackmannanEbenezer Simpson1903Main StreetFK10 4JA
Wombwell Library Arthur  B. Linford1907Station RdS73 0BA