Branch Library and Reading Room, Regent Road, Salford.

THE BRANCH LIBRARY FOR REGENT ROAD - From the-minutes of a sub-committee it appeared that 11 competitors had sent in plans and designs for the erection of the branch library in Regent Road. Two were selected between which a ballot was taken, when by a majority of seven-to-six, the one having the word "Regent" as its motto was successful. The plan was found to be that of Mr Lord, architect, St. Mary's Gate; and it to be carried out at an expense of about £2,500. The other plan was that of Messrs Royle and Bennett, architects, Manchester. [Manchester Guardian 6 June 1872: page 6]

THE BRANCH LIBRARY FOR REGENT ROAQD, SALFORD – The new branch library and public hall, which are about to be erected at a cost of about £2,500 by the Corporation of Salford, for the convenience of residents in the Regent Road district will be of Gothic design. The structure will be built of brick with stone dressings. The site, at present occupied by he Lord Raglan Hotel, is at the junction of Henrietta Street and Regent Road. The portion of the building facing Regent Road will be two storeys high. The ground floor will be occupied by a library 34 feet long by 29 feet wide, and a committee-room, store closet, etc. The second storey will be devoted to the purposes of a public hall. The dimensions of the public hall will ne 40 feet by 29 feet, and it is calculated that it will seat 300 persons. It will be very lofty, the ceiling being 25 feet above the floor, and there will be a retiring room attached for the convenience of performers at concerts etc. The entrance to the hall is in Henrietta Street. The reading room will be immediately behind the library, and approached from the principal entrance in Regent Road by a lobby 6 feet wide, passing through the library. It will be divided from the library by a glazed screen so that the librarian will have sight of all those who go out and in. The borrowers of books will enter the lending department from the lobby, and ample space will be provided for those who have to wait. The reading room will be 47 feet long by 30 feet broad. It will be lighted mainly from the roof, with additional gale windows raised 12 feet 6 inches above the floor, so as to leave an abundance of space below for newspaper desks. Behind the reading room there will be a dwelling house for the Librarian, consisting of parlour, kitchen, and scullery on the ground floor, and two or three bedrooms as may be decided upon in the second storey. The staircase leading to the public hall can be entirely shut off from the library part of the building and meetings may be held without any inconvenience to those attending the reading room or borrowing books. The building, as we have already announced, will be erected from the designs of Mr Henry Lord, architect, of St Mary’s Gate, who was the successful competitor among eleven who sent in plans at the invitation of the Corporation. Manchester Guardian 8 June 1872 page 8]

The Regent Road Branch Library and reading room were opened on 8 October 1873, the same day as Owen’s College Manchester. The opening ceremony and speeches were reported by the Salford Chronicle in considerable detail, extending to more than two full columns of the newspaper. Included in the report was the following description of the building:

REGENT ROAD BRANCH LIBRARY AND READING ROOM - OPENING CEREMONY  The new branch library, situate in Regent road, which has just been completed, was formally opened by a banquet in the reading room on Wednesday evening. The Mayor presided and there were present ...... (various councillors aldermen etc) .. Henry Lord, architect and Hurd, contractor.

The building is erected in the Gothic style of architecture. It is faced with red stock bricks and relieved by a stone base, moulded string courses, deep splayed sills, stone jambs and millistones (sic) to the windows etc. The cornice is formed of moulded bricks. The roof is covered with Welsh slates with ornamental ridge and cresting. At the prominent angle of the building is the borough arms, beautifully carved. This corner, finished in the form of a turret, and surmounted by a tasteful finial, forms a striking object and is seen from a great distance. The principal entrance is in Regent-road, consisting of an outer porch and corridor, partitioned from the library by a glazed screen. On the left of the corridor is a committee room, 12 feet by 11 feet, and on the right is the library proper, 33 feet by 29 (feet) containing shelving room for 10,000 volumes with additional available space for 1,500 volumes more. The reading room, 47 feet by 30 feet is at the end of the corridor. It is lofty, with opened timbered roof and lantern light. Over the library is an assembly room, approached by a staircase having a separate entrance to Henrietta-street, with retiring room, closet and other conveniences. The whole of the joinery work is admirably executed in pitch pine and varnished. At the rear of the reading room is the Librarian’s house. The gas fittings, of an exceedingly tasteful character have been made by Messrs. Thomason & Co. of Birmingham. The building has been erected from the designs of Mr Henry Lord, architect, of John Dalton -street by Mr James Hurd, contractor, Bristol-street, Hulme. The plumbing, glazing and gas-fitting is the work of Mr G. V. Blaikie, of Great George-street, Salford. (Speeches reported at length) ........ Alderman Gendall proposed the heath of the architect and Mr Lord briefly returned thanks. [Salford Weekly Chronicle. Saturday 11 October 1873. Page 3. Columns1-3]

REGENT ROAD BRANCH PUBLIC LIBRARY AND PUBLIC HALL - Last evening the completion of the new branch library and public hall which has been erected in Regent Road by the Corporation of Salford was celebrated by a social gathering of the members of the Town Council and local gentlemen. The building, which is in the Gothic style of architecture, is built of brick, relieved by stone bases, moulded string courses and other decorations. The exterior aspect of the building is commanding, and a pretty effect has been produced by finishing the corner at Henrietta Street with a turret which is crowned by a tasteful finial. The principal entrance is from Regent Road. On the left of the entrance corridor is a committee room, and on the right the library proper. This room contains shelving for 10,500 volumes, and additional available space is provided for another 1,500 volumes. The reading room, which is a handsome apartment, 47 feet by 30 feet, is at the end of the corridor, and directly opposite the main entrance. It is lofty, with an open-timbered roof and is lighted by a lantern in the ceiling. Above the library is an assembly room, which can be reached by a separate entrance from Henrietta Street., and has retiring rooms and other conveniences. A house for the librarian was included in the scheme, and has been erected at the rear of the reading room. Mr H Lord, of John Dalton Street, Manchester, is the architect, and his designs have been carried out by Mt J Hurd, contractor, Hulme. [Manchester Guardian 9 October 1873 page 5]

Reference    Manchester Guardian 6 June 1872: page 6 - Salford Town Council.
Reference    Manchester Guardian 8 June 1872 page 8
Reference:    Salford Weekly Chronicle. Saturday 11 October 1873. Page 3, columns 1-3
Reference    Manchester Guardian 9 October 1873 page 5 - opening
Reference    Kelly
Reference    William Archer Shaw: Manchester Old and New Vol. III, p. 111.