Cathays Library

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. LocationThe 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. HistoryPreceding the current library was a Cathays Branch Reading Room which was opened in May 1890. It initially containing 300 books and had an assistant librarian. The current library was constructed between 1906-7, though the panel above the main door is inscribed 1906. The building is in a 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 has been 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. In autumn 2009 the library closed for repairs and refurbishment. £1 million was spent (including £300, 000 for the Welsh Government) to remove dry and damp rot, clean the exterior and bring the interior up to modern standards. It reopened in June 2010.

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. LocationThe 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. HistoryPreceding the current library was a Cathays Branch Reading Room which was opened in May 1890. It initially containing 300 books and had an assistant librarian. The current library was constructed between 1906-7, though the panel above the main door is inscribed 1906. The building is in a 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 has been 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. In autumn 2009 the library closed for repairs and refurbishment. £1 million was spent (including £300, 000 for the Welsh Government) to remove dry and damp rot, clean the exterior and bring the interior up to modern standards. It reopened in June 2010.