Public Library

LANCASTER

SD4761NE MARKET STREET 1685-1/7/177 (North side) Public Library

GV II

Public library. 1932. Built for the Borough of Lancaster in the Neo-Georgian style. Sandstone ashlar, with channelled rustication to the ground floor and entrance bay, and a slate roof. Deep rectangular plan which links at the rear with the Children's Library on New Street (qv). 2 storeys and 3 main bays with a moulded band between the storeys, a first-floor sill band, and a cornice with blocking course. The entrance bay, towards the left, projects slightly; to its left is a small window on the ground floor, with blank walling above. The doorway has a flat arch with a triple keystone, above which is a panel carved with the words 'PUBLIC LIBRARY' in raised lettering and flanked by fasces; it is placed under an open segmental pediment carried on engaged Tuscan columns. Above is a window with moulded architrave and a cornice. Below the main cornice is the date '1932'; the blocking course rises into a tall panelled die which is decorated with an urn. To the right of the entrance there are 2 windows on each storey: those on the ground floor have round heads and are slightly recessed under round-headed arches with decorated keystones; those on the first floor are like that above the doorway. The right-hand end of the facade is recessed slightly and contains on the ground floor a service doorway under a flat arch with a panelled keystone. INTERIOR: the main library hall (behind the front block) is a single-storey space with a barrel-vaulted ceiling and rooflight.

Listing NGR: SD4761361753