Central Library

The Central Library is a monumental, symmetrical building designed in a classical style, constructed with red brick facings and pale freestone dressings. It has two storeys, an attic, and a basement. The advanced centre and end bays feature slate pavilion roofs, although the centre roof was destroyed during the Second World War. A tower at the centre includes tripartite arched windows. The main cornice is dentilled, with solid parapets and a plain frieze. The upper floor has banded quoins, while the lower section features angle and fluted pilasters. The windows are arranged in a 2-4-1-4-2 pattern, with the outer bays showcasing fluted tympana and inscribed tablets. The inner bays have swagged and fluted oculi above pedimented and keyblocked studio windows. The central aedicule has an oriel treatment, flanked by niches and an elaborate overthrow with reclining figures. The ground floor windows are arched and keyblocked, with linked impost bands and panelled aprons, while the segmental, keyblocked basement windows are located behind area railings. Most of the glazing is T-frame.

On the far right, there is a set-back bay that follows a similar style, featuring a glazed top storey and a two-bay return elevation. The porch facing the street has a segmental pedimented doorcase with panelled pilasters and a carved tympanum. The main doorcase is arched and pilastered, adorned with foliage carving in the spandrels and keyblock, and includes sliding double doors with quadrant parapets leading up to the steps. To the far left, there is a smaller doorcase with a guilloche surround, inscribed above the door under a glazed lunette, and a flying platform leading to the steps, which have six-panel doors.

Inside, the entrance hall features paired doorways leading up steps, an arched coffered ceiling in the vestibule, and elaborate timber pedimented doorcases with lunettes above. The lateral corridors have an arched and pilastered treatment. The rear reading area is circular with classical detailing, supported by cast iron columns with rich acanthus capitals. Radiating timber bookcases with guilloche ironwork balconies support the entablature.