Lancaster Central Library
This building had previously been a coaching inn, police station and fire station before it was remodelled and opened as the town's public library in 1932 along with the Junior Library in New Street.
I like the skylights with pretty stained-glass around the edges. Would that detail be allowed in a public building these days? I rather doubt it.
I came today to get a book by Christopher Priest ( en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christopher_Priest_(novelist) ). the one I wanted had been withdrawn because it was "old", although I noticed plenty of Shakespeare and other "old" writers' works on the shelves. These are quite low shelves, so I don't think that space can be argued as a constraint.
On the other hand, public libraries in England have been closed at an alarming rate in the last few years: 20% since 2010; so I guess I should be grateful that this one is here at all.
Lancaster Central Library
This building had previously been a coaching inn, police station and fire station before it was remodelled and opened as the town's public library in 1932 along with the Junior Library in New Street.
I like the skylights with pretty stained-glass around the edges. Would that detail be allowed in a public building these days? I rather doubt it.
I came today to get a book by Christopher Priest ( en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christopher_Priest_(novelist) ). the one I wanted had been withdrawn because it was "old", although I noticed plenty of Shakespeare and other "old" writers' works on the shelves. These are quite low shelves, so I don't think that space can be argued as a constraint.
On the other hand, public libraries in England have been closed at an alarming rate in the last few years: 20% since 2010; so I guess I should be grateful that this one is here at all.