Restoration of library entrance nears completion
Date Published : 08 February 2010
A major facelift and essential structural repairs to the entrance of one of Walsall's most prestigious buildings is nearing completion.
The sandstone facade at the Lichfield Street entrance of Walsall Central Library has been rebuilt after surveys revealed it was disintegrating.
Small cracks were found in 2008 in parts of the building during routine maintenance work. Scaffolding was erected when work estimated at £200,000 began in June last year and is expected to finish in March 2010. A survey into the building's drainage system was also carried out.
Councillor Adrian Andrew, portfolio holder for regeneration at Walsall Council said: "The home of our Central Library is one that we're hugely proud of.
"This represents a significant investment into one of our most prestigious buildings and I would like to thank members of the public for their patience as work has been carried out."
The library has remained open for business during the restoration work.
The building dates back to the early 20th century and was built thanks to a grant by Scottish-born steel magnate Andrew Carnegie.
The library opened in July 1906 replacing the Free Library in Goodall Street which had opened in 1859 a few years after the Public Libraries Act became law.
By 1902, the building in Goodall Street had become too small to house the library, and members of the Free Library Committee began writing to Andrew Carnegie, the Scottish-born philanthropist who gave money to build libraries all over the world. He agreed to donate £8,000 on condition that the council provided a site.
Costs for the restoration work, carried out by maintenance contractor MITIE have been derived from the council's Capital Programme.