Selly Oak Library
{{Short description|Public library in Birmingham, West Midlands, England}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
File: Selly Oak Library - geograph.org.uk - 1967888.jpg
File:Selly Oak Free Library.jpg
Selly Oak Library is a Carnegie library in Selly Oak, Birmingham, England.The Surveyor and Municipal and County Engineer, Volume 27, p.125 It is Grade II listed.
This building closed to the public in April 2017. Library provision was moved to Touchbase Pears on Bristol Road.
History
It was announced in June 1902 that Andrew Carnegie had promised to contribute £3,000 towards a free library and reading-room in Selly Oak, following an appeal from Mr E. A. Oliveri.{{Cite newspaper The Times |title=Free Library Grants by Mr. Carnegie |date=21 June 1902 |page=9 |issue=36800}}
Selly Oak Library was erected to designs by the architect John P Osborne. The contractor was George Webb, and the foundation stone was laid on 1 August 1905. The foundation stone reveals that the building was funded by Andrew Carnegie and that the site was given by local business man Thomas Gibbins, who owned the Birmingham Battery and Metal Company.
The library cost £3,000 (equivalent to £{{formatnum:{{Inflation|UK|3000|1906|{{Inflation-year|UK}}|r=0}}}} in {{Inflation-year|UK}}),{{Inflation-fn|UK}} and was officially opened by Thomas Gibbins on 23 June 1906.
The library reading room was to the south-west of the entrance with an issue desk, stacks and reading slopes for newspapers. Some of the original glazed screens survive in situ.
References
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Category:Library buildings completed in 1905
Category:Buildings and structures in the West Midlands (county)
Category:Grade II listed buildings in Birmingham
Category:Carnegie libraries in England