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You searched for: "A History of Aberdeen Central Library Building (1892 - 2012)" Online...
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Proposed site of new library
1380 There were 5 sites proposed on which to build the new library including purchasing the Music Hall Buildings. The site on Rosemount Viaduct was commended for its "centrical position and abundance of air and light". Aberdeen Library front elevation plan
1381 The architect of the winning design was Alexander Brown. He designed a 3 storey building in the Renaissance style with 2 side wings.
The front elevation plan is held by Aberdeen City Archives. Aberdeen Central Library 1892
1382 The new Central Library was officially opened by Andrew Carnegie on July 5th 1892 at a cost of £10,000 (about £5m today).
Mr. Carnegie had contributed £1,000 to the building fund and prior to the opening ceremony received the Freedom of the City. Aberdeen Library opening ceremony seating plan
1383 The opening ceremony was held in the new Reading Room on 5 July 1892 where a platform had been erected covered in crimson cloth and decorated with plants and flowers.
The original seating plan is held in Aberdeen City Archives. Aberdeen Library opening ceremony invitation card
1384 Entrance to the ceremony was by invitation only and the crowd "thoroughly representative of all classes of the community".
(Aberdeen Free Press 6 July 1892)
The original entry ticket is held in Aberdeen City Archives. Aberdeen Library opening ceremony luncheon
1385 After the opening ceremony 150 guests adjourned to the Town and County Hall for luncheon. The Library staff were entertained to tea in Mr. Millison's Restaurant in Market Street.
The original luncheon invitation is held in Aberdeen City Archives. Alexander Robertson
1386 Alexander W Robertson MA was appointed Librarian from 123 applicants including only one female. He submitted 21 testimonials to the Public Library Committee in support of his application. Prior to his appointment he was Assistant Librarian at Aberdeen University. Rosemount Viaduct view
1387 A postcard view of the Central Library in 1900 showing the Free South Church (now St Marks) and Wallace Statue. This image pre-dates the building of His Majesty's Theatre. Aberdeen Central Library Staff 1892
1388 When the Central Library opened in 1892, the staff consisted of the Librarian and Sub-Librarian plus 9 Assistants, a Reading Room Keeper, a Janitor and 2 staff in the Binding Department. A total of 15 compared to 70 in 2012 (120 across the service). Manual for Readers
1389 Prior to the opening the Librarian had prepared a small "Manual for Readers" giving a brief historical sketch of the Library and a description of the new departments. The manual also contained a number of advertisements including one for the Lending Catalogue. Over 10,000 copies were freely distributed. Lending Library Plan, 1892
1390 The Lending Library opened on 12 July 1892. It opened weekdays from 11-8pm (except Wednesday when it closed at 1pm).
There was no direct access to the books. "Indicator Boards" listed books in stock and borrowers had to ask the staff to fetch those they wanted. Lending Library re-opening, 1925
1391 In 1925 the Lending Library closed for a month whilst it was reorganised for open access. It was formally re-opened by Mr FC Thomason MP for Aberdeen South on 3 October 1925 with over 38,000 books in stock. This souvenir card was issued to all borrowers who could now browse the shelves to their hearts content. Reading Room plan, 1892
1392 The Reading Room was open everyday (except Sunday) from 9am-10 pm with over 2,000 people using it daily. It was free to all "provided they are decent in person and attire and conduct themselves in a becoming manner". A drinking fountain provided refreshment. Reference Department plan, 1892
1393 The Reference Department opened on 29 August 1892. It was open weekdays from 10am-10pm and users had to be over 16. There were 500 volumes on the open shelves and 12,500 for consultation on completion of an application form. Aberdeen Central Library - Proposed extension
1394 By 1900, the need for an extension was recognised as the Reading Room had been criticised as "congested, dark and inaccessible".
In 1902, the architects Brown and Watt designed a 2 storey central piece with a single storey extending west to the junction of Skene Street, and ending in a tower. Aberdeen Central Library extension
1395 The extension cost £7,700 and opened on 18 May 1905. Built in keeping with the character of the main structure, it was described as a "harmony of architectural features". Facilities included a new Reading Room, a Stock Room, an upgraded Reference Department and public toilets. Aberdeen Central Library - New Reading Room
1396 The new Reading Room was described as "handsome, airy, bright and convenient" and was painted in colours of citron and cream. The 2,000 readers who frequented it daily should have been well satisfied. The polished granite fountain, a feature of the old reading room was transferred to the new location. Aberdeen Central Library Reading Room
1397 A general view of the Reading Room showing the pendant 'Luna' lamps, bracket lamps around the walls for illuminating the newspaper boards and tables in the centre for reading periodicals and magazines. Aberdeen Central Library, Newspaper room
1398 Gentlemen browsing the local newspapers, The Press & Journal and the Evening Express, in Aberdeen Central Library's Newspaper Room. This image likely dates from the 1970s.
The newspaper boards were divided into sections containing Aberdeen newspapers, Scottish nationals and English provincial and London papers.
Another section was set aside for international and other titles such as the Cape Argus and the Ceylon Observer. Aberdeen Central Library, Newspapers and Periodicals
1399 The list of papers and periodicals in the Reading Room amounted to 21 dailies, 100 weeklies, 78 monthlies and 11 quarterlies. Railway Timetables were also stocked. The ladies had their own selections including Girl's Own Paper, Good Needlework and Women's Employment. Aberdeen Central Library, Reference Department 1905
1400 A very busy Reference Department. An additional 80 chairs had been provided as part of the improvements in 1905, including 30 for the exclusive use of ladies. Books could be accessed directly off the shelves and the whole department was much brighter and attractive. Aberdeen Central Library, Local Studies c.1905
1401 Known as the vestibule to the Reference Department, this room (formerly a store and binders department) was transformed to accommodate the foundations of what would become the Local Studies Collection.
The large bookcase in the photograph was 24 feet long and held Council Minutes, Aberdeen Directories and Spalding Club publications. Aberdeen Central Library extension
1402 An external view of the Central Library Rosemount Viaduct giving a clear impression of the original building and extension of 1905. The Library Committee
1403 The Library Committee (with G M Fraser City Librarian, extreme right). The first Library Committee was appointed in April 1884 and it continued as a separate committee until local government re-organisation in 1975 when it functioned as a sub committee of the Arts and Recreation Committee. |