Neath Library

The Neath Library is a building of the 18th century in a classical style, constructed from rock-faced Pennant sandstone from Dunvant, with dark red sandstone dressings from St Bees. The windows are plate glass sashes, some of which have been replaced at the rear. The roof is covered in slate and comprises paired hipped sections.

The front façade, facing Victoria Gardens, is three bays wide and two storeys high. The central entrance bay is recessed, with a single-storey wing set back to the left. Large tripartite windows are present on both floors, featuring deep cills and cornices supported by brackets. Ground floor and central first-floor windows have central pediments, while the outer first-floor windows are topped with semi-circular pediments. A wide ground floor doorway, flanked by engaged Tuscan columns, a decorative entablature, and a balustraded parapet, is located in the central bay. The words "PUBLIC" and "LIBRARY" are inscribed in large lettering on the plat-band, which runs along with a solid string course to the outer bays. A deep cornice and balustraded parapet sit above, accented by piers and ball finials at the outer corners. The single-storey wing to the left features a paired window with a pediment and balustraded parapet. The left return elevation has a tripartite window with a central pediment to the ground floor, and two paired windows above. A large, semi-circular headed stair window is present to the rear, along with a three-window range, all executed with renewed sashes and a modern render wall finish. The right elevation displays a three-paired window range, with two paired windows below; the left window has a central pediment, and the right a cornice. Another three-window range follows beyond. The rear elevation mirrors the front with three paired windows, a blind central first-floor bay, and a modern render wall finish.

The building has been altered to accommodate changes in library use, retaining the central hall, main stair, and key elements of the original floor plan. On the ground floor, the original vestibule behind the main door has been removed, along with a window and the partitioning of the librarian's room at the base of the stair. The first-floor central landing features a Baroque doorcase with a wide bracket cornice and reeded pilasters, originally leading to a lecture room at the rear which is now partitioned to form a computer room. A later doorway has been created opposite the landing, leading to former separate lending and reference rooms, now combined into a single space. A counter, formerly positioned around the rear side of the landing wall, has been relocated. A partition wall on the landing is said to retain glazed framing behind later alterations.