Old Library Building

The Old Library Building, constructed in 1912-13 by Edwin Cooper, was a gift from Andrew Carnegie. It is built of Portland stone and is a large, imposing example of classical architecture. The front features a full-height Roman Doric portico with a pediment and a triglyph frieze incorporating discs within the metopes, alongside mutuled cornices. Two tall columns are set in antis. Narrow, two-storey side bays are present, with angle pilasters. The frieze motifs are simplified above these bays and repeated in the window surrounds. The windows have bronze geometrical glazing. A parapet tops the building, breaking forward centrally with the inscription "HOMERTON PUBLIC LIBRARY”.

The interior contains two main halls, one behind the other, with the front hall being two storeys high and the rear hall recently ceiled. These halls have barrelled roofs supported by curved cast iron braces, pierced to reduce weight and riveted to plates inserted in brick side walls, which in turn rest on brick internal pilasters. Plaster ceilings are suspended from these braces. Large, curved oblong lights with leaded glazing and bayleaf patterned raised borders are inset into the ceilings. Oval ventilating grilles with similar borders are along the side walls. A wood-railed first-floor gallery is present in the rear room. Roman style decoration is consistent throughout and of good quality, while the roof construction is notable for its structural interest.