Walkley Carnegie Library

Great news from the library volunteers!

PRESS RELEASE

Walkley Carnegie Library is delighted to announce that grant-funding has been received, thanks to National Lottery players, to support the initial development stage of the “Lend a New Lease of Life to Walkley Library” project, which has the goal of safeguarding the future of the Grade II listed library building, paving the way for an exciting new combined library service and café-bar facility in a unique creative partnership with True North Brew Co.

At this stage a development grant of £67,000 has been awarded by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) which will enable a full grant application to be developed and submitted at a later date. The aim of the project is to ensure that a vibrant library space and community service are retained within the existing much loved library building. Co-existence with the café-pub-restaurant will provide a new experience for visitors, with longer and more flexible opening hours and the scope to create cultural and culinary events in the evenings.

The Walkley Carnegie Library group of volunteers have run the library successfully for over two years, reaching new customers and increasing the number and variety of books, activities and events. Walkley Library was constructed in 1904 by local architects Hemsoll & Paterson, and is the only one of 27 suburban libraries in Sheffield to receive funding from the Scottish-American philanthropist Andrew Carnegie, and the only grade II listed Carnegie library still operating as a library in Yorkshire.

The renovated building should provide the incentive for further regeneration of South Road, and both Walkley Carnegie Library and True North Brew Co look forward to becoming involved in a range of community events and projects.

Alongside the much needed capital works, the Heritage Lottery funded project will deliver a programme of development and learning, enabling people to develop historic building conservation skills and engage with the history of the library and its role in the local community. In order to maximise the potential of the partnership and the renovation, True North Brew Co. and Walkley Carnegie Library will be raising extra funds to ensure the quality and suitability of the refurbished building services and activities. It is proposed that the library service will continue in temporary accommodation during a short closure period and that the building will reopen by March 2019.

We are grateful for the continuing support of our volunteers, customers and supporters, and to national lottery players.

Councillor Jack Scott, Cabinet Member for Community Services and Libraries, said: “It’s great that the Walkley Carnegie Library group and True North Brew have gained this extra funding. “Their plans for the library café bar are really exciting and innovative, and I’m sure it will be a fantastic asset. “I want to congratulate everyone who has helped on this. There’s a huge amount going on in Walkley Library.

Heritage Lottery Fund – Thanks to National Lottery players, we invest money to help people across the UK explore, enjoy and protect the heritage they care about – from the archaeology under our feet to the historic parks and buildings we love, from precious memories and collections to rare wildlife. http://www.hlf.org.uk. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and use #NationalLottery and #HLFsupported.

About Bill Bevan

Bill Bevan is an archaeologist, writer, photographer and heritage interpreter.

View all posts by Bill Bevan →