New Malden Library

New Malden Library is a public library built between 1939 and 1941 by A R Goldthorp and F C Otton for Malden Borough Council. The building is constructed of brown brick with stone embellishments, and the roof is not visible. The entrance block is canted and is flanked at right angles by two five-bay ranges. The ground floor houses the lending library, while the first floor contains the reference library and a lecture room. The entrance features a plain rectangular surround inscribed with "PUBLIC LIBRARY." Above the entrance, there is a tall window at first-floor level with a balcony supported by a projecting canopy, which includes ornamental ironwork and the borough arms. An oversailing cornice around the entrance block extends to the rear behind the projecting flanks. These flanks have metal-framed windows at ground level and feature four cast stone relief plaques by T Mewburn Crook from Manchester, depicting subjects such as Philosophy, Religion, Sociology, Philology, Natural Science, Applied Science, Fine Arts, Literature, and History. Inside, a significant amount of original wooden fixtures remains, particularly in the reference library and lecture room on the first floor, which are well-preserved with curving desk screens and a stage with a satin-wood surround.