Campaigners launch library book

Jun 29 2009 Huddersfield Daily Examiner

A BOOKLET written following a campaign to save an historic library from closure has been unveiled.

The Friends of Almondbury Library group were formed as part of the fight to keep open the library after Kirklees Council announced its intention to close the building and sell it two years ago.

Late last year council chiefs agreed that the library at Stocks Walk could remain open.

Now a booklet produced as the group delved into the history and background of the building as part of their campaign has been produced.

The publication, produced by the group and Kirklees Library and Information Service, was officially launched at the library.

Writer and Friends of Almondbury Library group member Rob Greenwood said the booklet, called A Splendid Little Library, was the result of two years of research and hours trawling through archive material.

He said: “We were very pleased to save the library and the booklet actually came about during our campaign to save it.

“We gave the cabinet a presentation on the building and for that we had to do quite a bit of research into the background and history.

“It was then decided that it was a good idea to have all the information that we had prepared in a booklet.

“It took two years and as very little was known about the building we had to dig quite deep through the archives and used quite a lot of online resources.”

Mr Greenwood’s illustrated booklet gives a history of the library, including information on the famous philanthropist Andrew Carnegie who approved the original design and contributed to the building costs back in 1906.

Also mentioned in the book is Kenneth Findlater Campbell, another influential figure involved in the shaping and design of Huddersfield’s buildings.

Other historical detail included in the book is how the library – the first purpose-built library in Huddersfield – was built and the specific design features that contribute to its character and charm.

The booklet includes a watercolour painting of the library, also produced by Mr Greenwood.

During the launch, copies went on sale and Mr Greenwood gave a presentation about the building.

The booklet is priced £2.99 and is available from Almondbury Library and Huddersfield Library’s local studies section.

Prints of Mr Greenwood’s watercolour and postcards are also available.