Cathays Library
{{Short description|Library in Cardiff, Wales}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{Use British English|date=March 2017}}
{{Infobox Historic building
|image=Cathays Library - geograph.org.uk - 371072.jpg
|caption=Cathays Library in 2007
|name=Cathays Library
|location_town=Cardiff
|location_country=Wales
|map_type=Wales Cardiff
|coordinates = {{coord|51.4974|-3.1821|display=inline,title}}
|architect=Speir & Bevan
|client=
|engineer=
|construction_start_date=
|completion_date=1907
|date_demolished=
|cost=
|structural_system=
|style=Arts & Crafts
|size=
}}
Cathays Library is a Grade II* listed library building in Cathays, Cardiff, Wales. It is one of the 2,500 Carnegie libraries, financed by the American businessman Andrew Carnegie.
Location
The library is situated on the northern edge of Cathays at the junction of Crwys Road, Whitchurch Road and Fairoak Road, opposite Gladstone Primary School. It backs onto Cathays Cemetery.
History
Preceding the current library was a Cathays Branch Reading Room, which opened in May 1890. It initially contained 300 books and had an assistant librarian.{{cite news |url=http://search.findmypast.co.uk/bna/viewarticle?id=bl%2f0000104%2f18900501%2f015 |title=The Branch Library Movement at Cardiff – Opening of a Reference Library at Cathays |work=Western Mail |date=1 May 1890 |accessdate=19 March 2017 |url-access=subscription |via=British Newspaper Archive}}
The current library was constructed between 1906 and 1907, though the panel above the main door is inscribed 1906.{{cite web |title=Cathays Library |website=BritishListedBuildings.co.uk |url=http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/300013681-cathays-library-cathays |accessdate=19 March 2017}} The building is in an Arts & Crafts Gothic style, designed by Cardiff architects Speir & Bevan. It has a generous single storey in a 'butterfly' plan, with two main wings parallel to Whitchurch Road and Fairoak Road. The front gable ends have large windows each divided into four lights. The building's central entrance section has a narrow octagonal tower above it, with a leaded spire.
It was designated in 1975 as a Grade II* listed building, as "an especially accomplished and well-preserved Arts and Crafts design" with a "pioneering butterfly plan".
At various points in the 21st century, Cathays Library has been threatened with closure, either due to reviews of the library services by Cardiff Council or claims of excessive repair costs. In 2003, 1000 people signed a petition to keep the library open.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/2862131.stm |title=Fight to save city libraries |publisher=BBC News |date=19 March 2003 |accessdate=19 March 2017}} In autumn 2009, the library closed for repairs and refurbishment. £1 million was spent (including £300,000 for the Welsh Government) to remove dry rot and damp rot, clean the exterior and bring the interior up to modern standards. It reopened in June 2010.{{cite news |author=Hannah Waldram |url=https://www.theguardian.com/cardiff/2010/jun/24/cathays-library-restored-to-the-community |title=Cathays library restored to community |work=The Guardian |date=24 June 2010 |accessdate=19 March 2017}}{{cite news |author=David James |url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/cathays-library-reopens-after-1m-1915014 |title=Cathays Library reopens after £1m update |work=Wales Online |date=25 June 2010 |accessdate=19 March 2017}}
In around 2016 Cardiff's historic documents, census records and newspapers were relocated to Cathays Library, from an inaccessible and expensive location off Newport Road. This was partly done to keep Cathays Library viable, because the younger student population were using the library far less.{{cite news |author=Liz Day |url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/plans-afoot-move-historical-welsh-105396794 |title=Plans afoot to move historical Welsh bibles, old census records and maps dating back to the 1800s |work=Wales Online |date=2 December 2015 |accessdate=15 March 2025}}
Facilities
Following the library's reopening in 2010, the original reception desk was kept but with new modern furniture including moveable 'designer' shelving. The west wing of the building was reopened, having previously been closed following an arson attack. The library had 15 public computers and a small meeting room for up to 10 people. The building also has public toilets which had been restored.
The library holds Cardiff's heritage and local studies collection. It also hosts history activities and community events. It is closed on Fridays and Sundays.{{Cite web |title=Cathays Branch and Heritage Library : Cardiff Hubs |url=https://cardiffhubs.co.uk/hub/cathays-branch-and-heritage-library/ |access-date=2023-01-04 |language=en-US}}
See also
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://www.cardiff.gov.uk/ENG/resident/Libraries-and-archives/Find-a-library/Pages/Cathays-Library.aspx Cathays Library page on cardiff.gov.uk]
{{Authority control}}
Category:Arts and Crafts architecture in Wales
Category:Carnegie libraries in Wales
Category:Grade II* listed buildings in Cardiff
Category:Grade II* listed library buildings
Category:Library buildings completed in 1907