Public Library

The Public Library, dated 1906, was designed by Walter Hanstock of Batley. It is constructed of pitch-faced stone with ashlar dressings, and has a hipped slate roof, with a basement to the right side due to the sloping site. A distinctive two-tier central clock tower is a prominent feature.

The symmetrical façade has five bays, with bays 1, 3, and 5 surmounted by pediments and clasping buttresses. The pediments are flanked by plain parapets, and each features a richly carved tympanum. The central tympanum has an oculus and two carved dragons. The square clock tower has round arched, louvred lights flanked by Ionic pilasters and roundels to the first tier. The second tier features a clock face on each side, with a deep, moulded archivolt and scroll carving. The leaded dome is surmounted by a cupola. A central round arched doorway has a segmental archivolt, paired engaged Ionic columns, richly carved foliage, and two shields inscribed with the date AD 1906. The ground floor has round arched windows, with alternately blocked voussoirs to each end bay, and one to bays 2 and 4. First floor windows in the pedimented bays are divided by long and short Ionic pilasters and feature a sunk ashlar apron. The central round arched window has a panel with the embossed words CARNEGIE LIBRARY. The interior includes a half-galleried main hall. The library occupies a prominent town centre site.