Blackley Library and Institute. Rochdale Road Blackley

Built by Manchester Corporation with a gift from the David Lewis Trustees, the library and institute was officially opened on Thursday 10 October 1901. Occupying part of the David Lewis Recreation Ground, the building comprised, reading-room, lending library, public hall, set of fives courts, boys and girls, playrooms fitted with gymnasia and a refreshment room.

In a competition for architects' designs for the intended library and public hall at Blackley, a committee of the Manchester Corporation has awarded the first premium to Mr John Gibbons, of Cross street, Manchester. The step taken has met with the approval of Mr. Levy, as representing David Lewis's Trustees (who are defraying the cost of the Hall), and a letter has been received from him offering also to provide for the cost of a children's shelter in the adjacent playground, estimated at £750. [Building News 8 December 1899 Page 765]

LIBRARY AND INSTITUTE, BLACKLEY, MANCHESTER — The Manchester Corporation are about to erect at Blackley, on a plot of land situate in Rochdale-road, buildings to be known as the Blackley Free Library and Institute. The scheme also includes a separate building about to be erected inside the recreation ground as a large covered shelter, 70 feet by 50 feet, where children may play in wet weather. The library will occupy the front portion of the site, with the main entrance in Rochdale- road, and will contain a reading-room, 46 feet by 27 feet; a lending library of the same dimensions, with fittings for 10,000 volumes; and a boys’ reading room, with a separate entrance in the park entrance road, under the lending library, and of the same dimensions. Rooms will also be provided for a librarian and assistants. Tie institute will occupy the rear portion of the site, and will comprise a public hall, 60 feet by 32 feet, to accommodate about 400 persons, with a main entrance in the park entrance road, a separate entrance in the street overlooking the recreation ground, and an additional emergency exit, together with retiring rooms. There will also be an adults’ recreation room, 48 feet by 18 feet; a games-room for boys, 40 feet by 30 feet; two fives courts; and a girls' play-room, 30 feet by 15 feet. The exterior of the buildings will be faced with red stock bricks, relieved by buff bricks, buff terra-cotta entrances, strings, etc. The floors will be fireproof, and the rooms throughout will be warmed by hot water and lighted by electricity. Mr J. Gibbons, Manchester, is the architect. [Builder 14 July 1900 page 39].

Reference    Building News 8 December 1899 Page 765
Reference    The Builder 1900: II: 39.
Reference    Manchester City News 5 May 1900 Page 8 – tenders
Reference    British Architect 11 May 1900 Page viii - contracts
Reference    Builder 12 May 1900 Page 478 - contracts
Reference    Manchester City News 30 June 1900 page 3 with illustration
Reference     Manchester City News 12 October 1901. - opening