Rochdale Road Free Branch Library, Livesey Street

MANCHESTER —A commencement has been made in the erection of a building for the branch library in Livesey-street, Rochdale-road. The reading- room, according to the Courier, will be 44 feet by 31 feet, with coved ceiling, and lantern light. Provision will be made for ventilation, warming, etc. A tower surmounts the building, to act as a ventilating-shaft and chimney. On the left of the entrance there will be a house for the librarian. Mr. Thompson, of Cheetham-Hill, is the contractor. [Builder 18 June 1859 page 413]

OPENING OF THE ROCHDALE ROAD DISTRICT FREE LIBRARY - Last evening the establishment of a Branch Free Library and Newsroom, in Livesey Street, for the Rochdale Road district, was inaugurated by a public meeting. …  The building is in. the plain Italian style, and has been erected by the Corporation, at a total cost of about £1,500, under the superintendence and from the plans of Mr Lynde. the city surveyor. Tho library and newsroom, the wails of which are decorated with a number of engravings, is 44 feet long, 31 feet wide. and 26 feet high, well ventilated, with a coved ceiling and lantern top; and attached is the house of the resident librarian, with a plot of land beyond, permitting the future extension of the building, if necessary. [Manchester Guardian 5 June 1860 page 3]

ROCHDALE ROAD LIBRARY - The public room in Livesey-street, Rochdale-road, is the first new building which was erected by the Library Committee. The one public rooom, 42 ft. by 32 ft., serves for both reading-room and library, the lending books being shelved across one end of the room, with a short return of shelving within the librarian's counter on each side. The entire area of the room is constantly within the range of his vision. The library has a handsome dressed stone front, and, adjoining it, a rather shabby house—also built by the Corporation—and occupied by the librarian. The room has a lantern-roof, and is lighted at night by gas sunlights, with arrangements for carrying off completely the products of combustion, and the vitiated air exhaling from the visitors. This branch serves its purpose well in all other respects than this, that it is about half the size it should have been. Plans prepared by the late Mr Richard of Manchester Corporation [Builder 23 March 1867 page 204-205]

Reference        Builder 18 June 1859 page 413
Reference        Manchester Guardian 5 June 1860 page 3 – opening
Reference        Builder 23 March 1867 page 204-205 – review of Manchester branch libraries