Former Nelson Old Library

Former Nelson Old Library

This Yorkshire stone public library was built in 1908 to designs by architects JR Poyser and WB Savidge in the Edwardian Baroque style.

The building is constructed of ashlar Yorkshire stone on all elevations except the north-east, which is painted and rendered. The roofs are slated with roof lights. The plan is rectangular with a symmetrical principal elevation facing north-west along Booth Street and a secondary elevation aligned south-west along Carr Road.

The library occupies a single double-height volume raised over a semi-basement. The principal north-west elevation is symmetrical and three bays wide. The roof is concealed from street level by a parapet sitting atop a modillioned crown cornice, rising to form a broken-bed segmental pediment over each of the three openings. The end bays break slightly forward, each lit by a double-height round-arched opening with a multi-light metal-framed window having an exaggerated stepped keystone, flanked by rusticated piers. Each has a dropped lugged surround with a deep panelled apron, partially covered by a superimposed panel rising from infilled segmental-arched basement windows below. The principal entrance, of diminished proportions compared to the windows, is similarly treated with piers carrying a broken triangular pediment into which is set a tall keystone rising from a moulded archivolt. The door is original double-leaf oak with bolection moulded lower panels, aediculed glazed oval top panels, and a fanlight, accessed by a flight of stone steps. Set to either side is an oval window treated as the main windows, although the basement windows retain their glazing as round-arched openings with an iron grille set into the pavement. Rich carved embellishment spans the central bay over the entrance, displaying the Nelson Coat of Arms to centre, with the words 'PUBLIC' and 'LIBRARY' to either side. Several cast-iron downpipes with box hoppers detailed with the letter 'N' are present.

The south-west elevation is also symmetrical, with a projecting aediculed central bay featuring a broken triangular pediment. It embraces a Diocletian window set over a group of three keystoned ten-light windows separated by half-engaged Ionic columns and spanned by a dripstone. Venetian windows to either side are detailed with columns and keystones. The basement well is open and bounded by original composite iron railings on a stone plinth wall.

The south-east elevation is relatively plainly detailed, although the south bay echoes the detailing of its north-west counterpart. Otherwise, walls are plain ashlar with irregularly spaced and varied casement windows. The north-east elevation is generally without openings, having formerly abutted the Nelson Fire Station, and features a gabled proportion to the east end with multi-light windows on three levels lighting a stairwell.

Internally, the building has been extensively refurbished and is no longer in use as a library, but retains several original architectural features. Access is via an oak-panelled vestibule with stairs rising to a set of four-panel oak doors with a glazed top section. The doors are set into a partially-glazed and leaded oak screen and retain their original handles and finger plate, which includes an embossed Nelson crest. The ceiling is barrel-vaulted with decorative plaster moulded ribs.

The central hall is carpeted except for a central mosaic and is lit by a central glass dome set into a coffered plaster ceiling, divided into eight panels by pulvinated beams ornamented with foliage, fruit and ribbons. An open partition of three arched openings is located to the south-east, detailed with scrolled plaster keystones and continuous plaster archivolt. Beyond this lies a rectangular room with original polished parquet flooring lit by the bay window of the south-east elevation, beneath which is an original timber shelf. At the north-east end of this room is a set of five-panel double-leaf oak doors set into an oak screen, detailed as the main entrance.

To the south-west of the hall, a second rectangular room runs the length of the building, lit by a glazed roof light. It retains its original parquet floor as well as pilasters and mouldings around the Venetian windows. The ceiling is barrel-vaulted and subdivided into three by ceiling beams supported on exaggerated scrolled corbels projecting from pilasters on either side. To the north-east of the hall is an L-shaped room accessed via an archway to the north-east of the vestibule, with similar detailing to other areas, original floor and plaster detailing.

To the south-west of the vestibule is a dog-leg cantilevered staircase with an original cast iron balustrade, octagonal newel post and polished oak handrail. A small office space in the eastern corner of the room, likely the librarian's office, has a central chimney breast in its north-east wall. Adjacent is a newly inserted fire door providing access to a rear staircase of poured concrete, retaining its original vertical wrought iron hand rails with later banister. The service space is fitted with replica cast iron fireplaces. The moulded skirting boards, picture rails and cornices all appear to be original.

Both the upper floor and basement levels have been extensively refurbished with carpeted floors, inserted partition walls and suspended ceilings. The general window arrangement survives in these rooms, with the exception of additional dormer windows inserted in the attic space.