Tuesday, 26 July 2016

Levenshulme Library

Now it easy to forget that that parts of south Manchester elected to join the city having spent a big chunk of time as self governing local authorities.

Levenshulme Library, 2012
So it was that Burnage ,Chorlton, Didsbury and Withington who voted to join Manchester in 1904 and Levenshulme five years later.

It was a decision that for  many rate payers was a decision too good to turn down and included the promise of better provision, and cheaper rates and utility bills.

As far as the 1904 "4" were concerned this included the building of new public libraries.

But in the case of Levenshulme they already had one, which has been opened in 1904.

The Levenshulme Urban District Council had successfully gained a grant from the Carnegie Foundation to build the library which cost £2,500 and according to the Manchester Guardian had “two special features worthy of mention. 

There is a room set apart for juveniles, in which, besides papers and periodicals, such games as chess, draughts and dominoes may be enjoyed.  

Adjoining the main reading-room and reached through a vestibule door is along veranda where people may sit and read in fine weather.”

And that is about all except to say I think Peter's painting captures it perfectly.

Location;Levenshulme

Painting;Levenshulme Library, © 2012 Peter Topping, Paintings from Pictures,
Web: www.paintingsfrompictures.co.uk

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