Building Name

Queen’s Jubilee Free Library Middleton

Date
1887 - 1889
District/Town
Middleton
County/Country
GMCA, England
Work
New build

THE MIDDLETON FREE LIBRARY - Sixty-seven sets of designs for the proposed free library at Middleton were received by the Corporation of that borough in response to their advertisement; and a joint committee comprising of six members of the Corporation and six non-members has awarded the premium to Mr Lawrence Booth, architect of this city. All the designs are now on view at Middleton Town Hall. [Manchester Guardian 2 November 1887 page 3]

INTENDED FREE LIBRARY FOR MIDDLETON. This scheme is now assuming definite proportions. The necessary land has been purchased, and a Joint Committee, composed of six members of the Corporation and six gentlemen outside of that body, recently advertised for designs, to be forwarded in open competition under motto for the premium they offered. Sixty-seven sets of designs were submitted in response to their invitation, large proportion of which are of high order of merit, involving much time and care in their consideration. The Joint Committee's final award gave the premium to the design marked "Elastic," which was found to be the production of Mr. Lawrence Booth, architect, of Manchester; and that gentleman has been notified to meet the committee. All the designs are now on exhibition at the Town Hali, Middleton. [Manchester Courier 5 November 1887 page 13]

NEW PUBLIC FREE LIBRARY FOR MIDDLETON.—On Saturday afternoon Councillor H. Heywood, Mayor of Middleton, laid the corner stone of the Queen's Jubilee Free Library, Middleton. The contract for the building of the library has been let to Mr. T. Jackson, for the sum of £1,526. The architect is Mr. Lawrence Booth, of Manchester. [Manchester Courier 14 April 1888 page 13]

OPENING OF THE MIDDLETON FREE LIBRARY - On Saturday the new Queen's Jubilee Free Library was opened at Middleton. The style of architecture adopted for the building is in keeping with that of the Old Boar's Head Hostelry, which faces it, and the foundation of which dates back three centuries The municipality has acquired the hotel, and it is unlikely that its appearance will be disturbed. A rustic porch marks the entrance to the new library and the vestibule behind it is carried up to a considerable height as a tower. This forms the principal external feature of the building. Oh the ground floor there are two large rooms, one used as a reading room, and the other as a lending library. Above there is a room corresponding in size with the library, and three classrooms. The timber work outside is of English oak, and the principal storey is corbeled out to the extent of three feet. Mr. Lawrence Booth, of Manchester, is the architect. [Manchester Times 16 March 1889 page 7]]

Reference    Manchester Guardian 2 November 1887 page 3
Reference    Manchester Courier 5 November 1887 page 13
Reference    British Architect 23 December 1887 Page xi – contracts
Reference    Manchester Courier 14 April 1888 page 13 – foundation stone
Reference    Manchester Times 16 March 1889 page 7 - opening