Public Library – Ilkley, UK
Posted by: 
dtrebilc
N 53° 55.454 W 001° 49.235
30U E 577448 N 5975736
This library in a separate wing of Ilkley Town Hall was opened in 1907, funded with a £3,000 donation from the wealthy businessman and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie.
Waymark Code: WME6AM
Location: Yorkshire, United Kingdom
Date Posted: 04/09/2012
Views: 1
Ilkley was a spa town that had grown in the Victorian era, especially after the arrival of the railway in 1865.
The town council bought a parcel of land near to the railway station in preparation for building a new town hall, public library and community hall in 1897. There was a delay in funding the building, until an application was made to Andrew Carnegie’s library fund. Carnegie funded a total of 2509 libraries across the world.
Once Carnegie granted £3,000 for the library the town council announced a competition for the design of the buildings in November 1903 and over 60 entries were submitted before the drawings, of Mr William Bakewell, of Park Square in Leeds was approved. His design was of a French – Flemish classical design. It has been given a Grade II Listed Building status by English Heritage (Reference 1314237). (
visit link)
Work started on the buildings in 1906 and the library had an opening ceremony in 1907.
The library is still open with free internet access, but these days since local authority reorganisation it comes under the auspices of Bradford Metropolitan Borough Council.
Visit Instructions:As a suggestion for your visit log, please make every effort to supply a brief-to-detailed note about your experience at the Waymark. If possible also include an image that was taken when you visited the Waymark. Images can be of yourself, a personal Waymarking signature item or just one of general interest that would be of value to others. Sharing your experience helps promote Waymarking and provides a dynamic history of your adventures.