Doncaster Free Library and School of Art

DONCASTER - The Corporation offered two premiums of £50 and £25 for the best designs of a new Free Library and School Of Art to be erected in St. George-gate, near the parish church, for £3,300. Over 60 plans were received, and Mr. George Corson, of Leeds, having been appointed assessor, he selected 12 and submitted them to the committee. The one placed first was entitled, "Well Considered," and the second, "L.S.A." and the premiums have been awarded in the order in which they are given. The author of the first design is Mr. H. A. Cheers, of Twickenham, and he has been appointed to carry out the plans subject to certain conditions, one of which is that he shall obtain from a competent builder in Doncaster an offer to carry out the building for not more than £3,300.  Messrs. Henman and Timmins, of Birmingham, obtained the second premium. [Building News 2 March 1888 page 343] 

DONCASTER - The foundation-stone of the Jubilee Free Library and School of Art was laid on Friday by the Mayor. The building will be Tudor in style, and is to be erected from designs by Mr. Henry A. Cheers, of Twickenham, selected in competition. The building will be of red pressed brick, with Ancaster stone dressings. The principal entrance will be on the north-west side, where a large hall gives access on the right to a circular stone staircase, leading to the School of Art, which occupies the first floor. The free library is placed on the ground floor facing the entrance, and a short corridor leads to the ladies' reading-room and the reference library. On the left a similar passage gives access to the general reading and news room, the one being separated from the other by an open arch and low screen. The lending library is 60 feet by 20 feet, and is lighted from the roof. The principal reading-room is 44 feet by 30 feet. The librarian will have a room at one end of the lending library. The heating will be by a combination of hot water and warm air. [Building News 29 June 1888 page 928]

DONCASTER - The new Free Library and School of Art wore opened on Friday. The building been erected from the designs of Mr. H. A. Cheers, of Twickenham, selected in competition, and Mr. Anclay, a local builder, carried out the work for £3,300. The building is in the Tudor style, faced with red pressed bricks, with Ancaster stone dressings. It is in juxtaposition to the old library. Access is obtained on the right to the school of art on the first floor, while facing the entrance, approached through a screen, the upper panels of which are of stained glass, the inner hall of the library is entered. The hall for borrowers facing the entrance, to the right of this a short corridor gives access to the ladies' reading-room and reference library. On the left a similar corridor leads to the magazine and general reading and news room, the two being divided by an open archway and low screen. The lending library is 60 feet by 20 feet, and is lighted from the roof; at one end is the librarian's room. The principal reading-room is 44 feet by 30 feet. The school of art, on the first floor, comprises an elementary room 44 feet by 30 feet, a cast and modelling room, a private room for the master, and cloak and retiring room for the students. All are lighted from the north side, while the elementary room has additional top-lights. The heating is by a combination of hot water, on the low-pressure system and warm air. [Building News 28 June 1889 page 920]

Reference        Building News 2 March 1888 page 343] – competition results
Reference        Building News 18 May 1888 page 726 – tenders
Reference        Building News 29 June 1888 page 928 – foundation stone
Reference        Building News 28 June 1889 page 920 - opening