Carnegie Free Library

The Carnegie Free Library, built in 1904 by Hunter & Woodhouse of Belper, is an example of Edwardian 'Free Style' architecture. Constructed from orange brick with ashlar and sandstone dressings, the roof is covered in plain tiles concealed behind parapets. The building sits on a chamfered, rusticated plinth, and the west side reveals a basement due to the sloping ground.

The north elevation features a pair of ashlar-faced canted bays. Each bay has a window within a moulded stone architrave on its main face, above which is a round-headed window also within a moulded stone architrave and elongated keyblock. Simplified Ionic half columns support pieces of entablature above these windows. The sides of the canted bays have windows with moulded architraves on each floor, topped by a moulded cornice. Between the bays are five further windows on the upper floor. A central, projecting doorway is banded and rusticated, with a round-arched doorway framed by a moulded surround and keyblock. Thin Tuscan columns flank the entrance, supporting a round-arched hood and an elongated keystone with a superimposed swag above the doorway. A plain band connects to the sills of the canted bays. Above the entrance is a stone panel bearing the inscription "CARNEGIE/FREE LIBRARY" in relief. The first floor has five windows with moulded stone surrounds, interspersed with carved relief Art Nouveau panels. A cornice sits above, followed by a low parapet.

The west elevation has a tall bay, treated similarly to the middle part of the canted bays, and a projecting bay with a tripartite window to the basement and a row of five keyed oculi above. Further to the right, a taller section has two narrow ashlar canted bays and four stone bands flush with the wall surface, all above the rusticated basement. Most windows contain small-pane metal casements.

Inside, a staircase hall features stairs rising around an open well. The wrought iron stair rails have openwork iron newel posts with a tapering profile. A segmental barrel vaulted plaster ceiling with plaster mouldings is found on the first floor, and a first-floor gallery is supported by four Ionic columns.