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Denburn Valley
48 The Denburn Valley Railway, shown here on the right, was constructed in 1865-67. It runs from the Joint Station at Guild Street north through the valley. To the left of the railway lines is Union Terrace Gardens which were opened to the public on 11th August 1879.
The closeness of the railway led to the gardens being nicknamed the "Trainie Park". The bandstand shown here in the centre of the park was removed in around 1931.
The iron footbridge visible in this image allowed access over the Denburn and railway between Rosemount and the city centre. It was replaced by the Denburn Viaduct which was built in 1886, at the same time as Rosemount Viaduct, by engineer William Boulton. Part of the footbridge was moved and reassembled in the newly created Duthie Park.
This image also predates the construction of significant buildings on Rosemount Viaduct such as the Public Library and the Free South Church (both dating from 1892). In the background, on the left of the image can be seen the houses at the foot of a then longer Skene Terrace. These are on the site later occupied by the library and church.
To the right of those houses are Black's Buildings. Local historian Diane Morgan explains that they were "a small curving crescent of tall tenements, four and five storeys high, [and] sat below the Royal Infirmary, Woolmanhill, just west of the apex of the Woolmanhill triangle. (...) The houses were built in stages between 1789 and 1830, by the wine merchant James Black." (Lost Aberdeen: Aberdeen's lost architectural heritage, 2004). The tenements were pulled down in 1957.
Woolmanhill Hospital, designed by Archibald Simpson and built 1832-1838, can be seen in the background. Chimneys of Broadford Works, the textile factory located between Ann Street, Maberly Street and Hutcheon Street, are also visible. 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 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 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. The Queen Mother visits Aberdeen Central Library
1426 The Queen Mother officially opened the modernised building on 20 October 1982. She unveiled a commemorative plaque in the Lending Department and is seen here signing the Visitors Book. Aberdeen Central Library, Lending section 1948
1428 The Central Lending Library opened in July 1892 and this photograph from 1948 was taken after the department had been closed for 2 weeks in August for re-decoration. Aberdeen Central Library, Lending department 1948
1429 A view of the Lending Library from 1948 showing the counter and the Brown system of issuing books in operation. Aberdeen Central Library, Lending counter 1948
1430 This view of the Lending Library from 1948 shows the layout of the Lending counter and exit gate. Aberdeen Central Library, Lending section 2011
1431 The Adult Lending Desk in 2011 is radically different from the view of the counter in 1948 with the system of issuing books to borrowers now completely computerised. Aberdeen Central Library, Adult Lending Department 2011
1432 Compared to the shelving of earlier times, the units here are much lighter in both weight and colour. The ability to easily move the shelving also allows for a greater use of the space, helping to cater for special events. The staircase to the mezzanine floor, added during the modernisation of 1978-82 can be seen in the background. Aberdeen Central Library, Adult Lending Library 2012
1433 A view of the Adult Lending Library in 2012 showing the changes made to the main area following the removal of the main issue counter and the installation of self-issue terminals. Aberdeen Central Library, Mezzanine Plan
1434 This plan from March 1974 shows the proposed extension to the Adult Lending Library with the insertion of an extra mezzanine floor. This ultimately resulted in extra space for additional shelving and a display area with improved accommodation for the audio visual section of records, cassettes and framed prints. Aberdeen Central Library, Adult Lending Mezzanine
1435 The Audio Visual Library was relocated from the Lending Mezzanine to the Media Centre in 2005. The area was re-designed, with new flooring and lighting and has since housed books, express internet PCs and a re-vamped display area. Aberdeen Central Library, Reference Department
1436 The Reference Library opened in August 1892 and underwent a number of changes in layout. As this photograph shows it was frequently packed out with industrious students and researchers throughout the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s. Old Inn at the Pier
1991 A drawing titled Old Inn at the Pier, signed W. Gordon, 1890.
The label on the library's glass slide identifies the building as the Ferry Boat Inn. It was located past the old Blockhouse at the end of Pocra Quay. The harbour side pub was run by Willie Cormack, who also ran a shop in Fittie called Highland Willie's.
Comparing the shape and location of the pub shown here with the Ordnance Survey Aberdeen town plan surveyed 1866-67, particularly the pub's bay windows, suggests this is in fact the Steam Yacht Inn. This inn, which was further up Pocra Quay, east of Pocra Jetty, can be seen on the above town plan on sheet LXXV.12.21. Aberdeen Central Library and St. Mark's Church
2091 Aberdeen Central Library and St. Mark's Church on Rosemount Viaduct. The Central Library was designed by George Watt but has been added to over the years. St Mark's Church was designed by Marshall Mackenzie in 1892. His Majesty's Theatre was yet to be built. A School of Dolphins: Milo at Kincorth Library
2176 Primary six at Mill O' Forest worked together to plan, design and create our dolphin. We wanted our dolphin to represent our school, as well as highlighting issues including conservation and captivity. As a result of a sponsored beach clean, we collected materials and included them in our design. Treasure 1: Aberdeen Public Library staff photograph of 1892
2271 What a fabulous photograph of the Central Library staff from when the building opened in 1892. We get a feel for the ladies dress at the time and during our 120 celebrations in 2012 mannequins wore paper costumes replicating the Victorian style.
There were 15 staff then - the Librarian, Sub-Librarian, 9 Assistants, a Reading Room Keeper, a Janitor and 2 staff in the Binding Department but not everyone is in the photograph. The Librarian is definitely missing but we will meet him later.
We have a list of staff names and one in particular was remembered for her helpfulness, courtesy and compilation of the Local Studies catalogue. Miss Emma Valentine joined the service in 1890 as an Assistant and progressed to Assistant in Charge of the Reference Department. Sadly she died young in 1915 and is believed to haunt the building today.
Who do you think Miss Valentine is in the photograph? |