:Wrexham Library

By 1700, the site where the library now stands was partly occupied by a mansion house known as {{Langnf|cy|Ypsytty (or Ysbyty) Ucha|Upper Hospital}}, later known as Llwyn Isaf, which the nearby field retains its name, while the house itself previously served as the library of Wrexham temporarily.{{Cite web |title=Wrexham Town Walk : Llwyn Isaf |url=http://www.wrexham.gov.uk:80/english/heritage/wrexham_town_walk/llwyn_isaf.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120901150345/http://www.wrexham.gov.uk:80/english/heritage/wrexham_town_walk/llwyn_isaf.htm |archive-date=1 September 2012 |publisher=Wrexham County Borough Council}}{{Cite book |last=Ebsworth |first=David |title=Wrexham Revealed: A Walking Tour with Tales of the City’s History |publisher=Carreg Gwalch |others=Wrexham Carnival of Words |year=2023 |isbn=9781845245245 |series=Compact Cymru}}

Construction of the purpose-built library building started in June 1971 and took one year and a half to construct. The construction cost £178,000 and was constructed by RM Douglas Construction. The architect of the building was James A Roberts.{{Cite web |last=Emma |date=2022-08-12 |title=6 facts you didn't know about the Wrexham Library building - news.wrexham.gov.uk |url=https://news.wrexham.gov.uk/6-facts-you-didnt-know-about-the-wrexham-library-building/ |access-date=2023-04-07 |language=en-US}} The building, located on Rhosddu Road,{{Cite web |title=Your local library {{!}} Wrexham County Borough Council |url=https://www.wrexham.gov.uk/service/your-local-library |access-date=2023-04-08 |website=www.wrexham.gov.uk}} opened to the public in December 1972. It contained a music library, private study areas, and a children's library.{{Cite web |last=Emma |date=2022-06-13 |title=Wrexham Library is 50 years old! What are your memories? - news.wrexham.gov.uk |url=https://news.wrexham.gov.uk/wrexham-library-is-50-years-old-what-are-your-memories/ |access-date=2023-04-07 |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Wrexham Library to celebrate 50th birthday with a range of events |url=https://www.leaderlive.co.uk/news/23188374.wrexham-library-celebrates-50th-anniversary/ |access-date=2023-04-07 |website=The Leader |date=13 December 2022 |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=What are your memories of Wrexham Library? Special exhibition planned to celebrate its 50th birthday |url=https://www.wrexham.com/news/what-are-your-memories-of-wrexham-library-special-exhibition-planned-to-celebrate-its-50th-birthday-220323.html |access-date=2023-04-07 |website=Wrexham.com |language=en}} This building near Llwyn Isaf replaced the previous carnegie library building on Queens Square.{{Cite web |title=Share your memories of Wrexham Library, old or new |url=https://www.leaderlive.co.uk/news/20273252.celebrating-milestone-wrexham-library/ |access-date=2023-04-07 |website=The Leader |date=13 July 2022 |language=en}} The building is of the Brutalist style.{{Cite book |last=Hatherley |first=Owen |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AjgXEAAAQBAJ&dq=Guildhall%2C+Wrexham&pg=PP410 |title=Modern Buildings in Britain: A Gazetteer |date=7 April 2022 |publisher=Penguin UK |isbn=9780141998312 |quote=The more Brutalist library next door}}

Oriel Wrecsam, a contemporary arts centre was based in the building attached to the library on Rhosddu Road since 1973{{Cite web |title=Oriel Wrecsam: gallery leaves Rhosddu Road venue after 42 years |url=https://www.a-n.co.uk/news/oriel-wrecsam-gallery-leaves-rhosddu-road-venue-after-42-years/ |access-date=2023-04-07 |website=a-n The Artists Information Company |language=en-GB}} and until 2015, when it moved out of the adjacent building. The extension was still being built when the library first opened.

In 1983, the first public computers arrived in the library.

In 2003, plans to construct a theatre on and adjacent to the site, for Oriel Wrecsam, and using £6 million of lottery funding was cancelled.{{Cite news |date=2003-07-08 |title=Theatre debate takes centre stage |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/north_east/3054768.stm |access-date=2024-11-22 |language=en-GB}}

In 2010, the library was renovated, using a grant of £310,000 awarded for the refurbishment from the Welsh Assembly Government. The renovation included a first floor extension, book and DVD stock enhancements, new computers and self-service check-out stations. The renovation also included a BFI Mediatheque being opened at the library, which contained a curated "Through the Dragon's Eye" collection, partly sourced from the National Screen and Sound Archive of Wales, which by 2013 was the only BFI Mediatheque in Wales.{{Cite web |last=Wales |first=Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru / National Library of |date=2010-03-23 |title=Wrexham Mediatheque |url=https://blog.library.wales/wrexham-mediatheque/ |access-date=2023-04-07 |website=National Library of Wales Blog |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Wrexham Library Round-Up |url=https://www.wrexham.com/news/wrexham-library-round-up-37048.html |access-date=2023-04-07 |website=Wrexham.com |language=en}} During the renovation the library temporarily moved to Chester Street, although the coffee shop and art gallery remained open during the renovation.{{Cite web |last=Live |first=North Wales |date=2009-10-28 |title=Wrexham cafe under threat if library moves |url=https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/wrexham-cafe-under-threat-library-2776954 |access-date=2023-04-07 |website=North Wales Live |language=en}} The renovated library was reopened by Ruth Jones on 22 March 2010.{{Cite web |last=Live |first=North Wales |date=2010-02-15 |title=Wrexham library set to go home |url=http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/wrexham-library-set-go-home-2763510 |access-date=2023-04-07 |website=North Wales Live |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Live |first=North Wales |date=2010-03-23 |title=Ruth Owen opens revamped Wrexham library |url=http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/ruth-owen-opens-revamped-wrexham-2761578 |access-date=2023-04-07 |website=North Wales Live |language=en}}

In 2011, the BBC, who had some operations in the building announced they were vacating their part of the building, moving to purpose-built studios at Glyndwr University.

In March 2015, Oriel Wrecsam announced they were to leave their premises in the library building for a then unknown location, set to open in 2017. Oriel Wrecsam later announced they would open a shop named "Siop//Shop" on Chester Street on 22 April 2015 and close their existing gallery on 28 March, ending the long association between the gallery and library, and while Oriel Wrecsam was present in the building, both were termed the "Wrexham Library and Art Centre".{{Cite web |date=2015-03-11 |title=Oriel Wrecsam is moving |url=http://thisproject.co.uk/articles/oriel-wrecsam-moving/ |access-date=2023-04-08 |website=This Project |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |title=Wrexham Library & Arts Centre |url=https://www.digitalcommunities.gov.wales/locations/wrexham-library-arts-centre/ |access-date=2023-04-08 |website=www.digitalcommunities.gov.wales}} The gallery later became part of the Tŷ Pawb development.{{Cite web |last=Powney |first=Mark |date=2017-07-06 |title=Wrexham's Oriel Wrecsam People's Market Set to be Renamed Following a £4.5m Revamp |url=https://businessnewswales.com/wrexhams-oriel-wrecsam-peoples-market-set-to-be-renamed-following-a-4-5m-revamp/ |access-date=2023-04-08 |website=Business News Wales}}

Plans were first made in 2014,{{Cite web |title=Wrexham Police Station In Potential Oriel Gallery Move |url=https://www.wrexham.com/news/wrexham-police-station-oriel-gallery-move-46386.html |access-date=2023-04-08 |website=Wrexham.com |language=en}} to relocate Wrexham town centre police station into the part of the building, that was formerly an Arts Centre (the former Oriel Wrecsam Gallery) following the demolition of the old Bodhyfryd police station and a new station in Llay.{{Cite web |title=First Look Inside Wrexham's New Town Centre Police Station |url=https://www.wrexham.com/news/first-look-inside-wrexhams-new-town-centre-police-station-100351.html |access-date=2023-04-07 |website=Wrexham.com |language=en}} In February 2016, the plans were approved.{{Cite news |date=2016-02-01 |title=Wrexham police station art gallery plans get go-ahead |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-north-east-wales-35441159 |access-date=2023-04-08}}

In July 2016, plans to transfer control of the library as well as Wrexham Museum to a culture trust or NPDO, were scrapped following a review that the transfer would cost the council more money.{{Cite web |last=Porter |first=Gary |date=2016-07-09 |title=U-turn over plan for Wrexham's libraries to be run by a trust |url=http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/u-turn-over-plan-wrexhams-11586830 |access-date=2023-04-07 |website=North Wales Live |language=en}} The proposal was part of wider plans to outsource the council's Libraries, Heritage and Archives Services, in hope to generate more income.{{Cite web |title='Wrexham Culture Trust' Plans Scrapped |url=https://www.wrexham.com/news/wrexham-culture-trust-plans-scrapped-115824.html |access-date=2023-04-07 |website=Wrexham.com |language=en}} The initial 2015 proposed transfer of responsibility involved a South Wales trust, but a local trust was later explored following opposition from councillors of transferring control to a trust in either Blaenau Gwent or Merthyr Tydfil.{{Cite web |title=Wrexham Library Services To Be {{as written|Tran|sfered [sic]}} To South Wales Trust |url=https://www.wrexham.com/news/wrexham-library-services-transfered-south-wales-trust-52216.html |access-date=2023-04-07 |website=Wrexham.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Calls To Create Local Trust For Wrexham Libraries |url=https://www.wrexham.com/news/calls-create-local-trust-wrexham-libraries-52372.html |access-date=2023-04-07 |website=Wrexham.com |language=en}}

In May 2017, work commenced on the new police station in the connecting building where the Oriel Wrecsam gallery once stood. The gallery had moved to Tŷ Pawb.{{Cite news |date=2017-05-15 |title=Work to start on Wrexham Library police station |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-north-east-wales-39882775 |access-date=2023-04-08}}

In April 2019, a minor refurbishment of the library's foyer was conducted.{{Cite web |title=Spot anything different? Wrexham Library gets a new look |url=https://www.leaderlive.co.uk/news/17563673.wrexham-library-gets-new-look/ |access-date=2023-04-07 |website=The Leader |date=10 April 2019 |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Wrexham's new police station set to open |url=https://www.leaderlive.co.uk/news/17658713.wrexhams-new-police-station-set-open/ |access-date=2023-04-07 |website=The Leader |date=23 May 2019 |language=en}} A coffee shop in the building, "The Secret Garden", also opened for the renovation.{{Cite web |title=New 'Secret Garden' cafe opens as part of Wrexham Library revamp |url=https://www.wrexham.com/news/secret-garden-cafe-opens-as-part-of-wrexham-library-revamp-166610.html |access-date=2023-04-07 |website=Wrexham.com |language=en}}

On 24 May 2019, the Wrexham town police station opened in a part of the library building.{{Cite web |title=This is when the new Wrexham town centre police station is set to open |url=https://www.leaderlive.co.uk/news/17635258.new-wrexham-town-centre-police-station-open-month/ |access-date=2023-04-07 |website=The Leader |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Stevens |first=Gill |date=2019-04-09 |title=New look for Wrexham library - news.wrexham.gov.uk |url=https://news.wrexham.gov.uk/new-look-for-wrexham-library/ |access-date=2023-04-07 |language=en-US}}

In Winter 2022, during the United Kingdom cost-of-living crisis, the library would operate as a "warm space", for those unable to afford to heat their homes, and for financial advice and support.{{Cite web |title=Wrexham's libraries to be used as "warm spaces" for residents during the winter months |url=https://www.wrexham.com/news/wrexhams-libraries-to-be-used-as-warm-spaces-for-residents-during-the-winter-months-224612.html |access-date=2023-04-07 |website=Wrexham.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Wrexham Council confirm 'warm places' coming to the city amid cost-of-living crisis |url=https://www.leaderlive.co.uk/news/22643093.community-warm-places-coming-wrexham-libraries/ |access-date=2023-04-07 |website=The Leader |language=en}}

In March 2023, Contact Wrexham, the council's support centre providing in-person services, moved into the building from Lord Street and a temporary location in Wrexham Guildhall, following the expiring of the Lord Street building lease.{{Cite web |last=Colville |first=Craig |date=2022-12-06 |title=Contact Wrexham is moving…but not too far - news.wrexham.gov.uk |url=https://news.wrexham.gov.uk/contact-wrexham-is-movingbut-not-too-far/ |access-date=2023-04-07 |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Ribbon cut as Contact Wrexham officially makes 'vibrant and welcoming' Library its new permanent home |url=https://www.wrexham.com/news/ribbon-cut-as-contact-wrexham-officially-makes-the-library-its-new-permanent-home-231351.html |access-date=2023-04-07 |website=Wrexham.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Contact Wrexham to move from Lord Street from next week |url=https://www.leaderlive.co.uk/news/23174550.contact-wrexham-moving-guildhall-library/ |access-date=2023-04-07 |website=The Leader |date=7 December 2022 |language=en}}

From September to December 2023, the building's roof is to be replaced.{{Cite web |date=2023-08-27 |title=Work to start on installing new roof at Wrexham Library next month |url=https://www.leaderlive.co.uk/news/23743672.construction-work-will-start-wrexham-library-next-month/ |access-date=2023-08-29 |website=The Leader |language=en}}

The library is said to be the most visited library in North Wales, with over 100,000 in-person and digital visitors visiting the library each year. In 2022, it hosted 479 events that had at least 8,000 visitors.

Installed in 2000, on one of its outside walls, there is a tile mural, the "Millennium Mural", containing imagery of the Acton Four Dogs, Gresford church stained glass, and example's of Wrexham's industrial architecture. Its installation involved over 1,000 children from eight Wrexham schools, working with artist Penny Hampson.

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{{City of Wrexham}}

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Category:Buildings and structures in Wrexham

Category:Public libraries in Wales

Category:Education in Wrexham County Borough

Category:Library buildings completed in 1972

Category:1972 establishments in Wales