Liverpool is a beautiful English city with its own history and architecture. It is home to many museums, galleries, and exhibitions, which is why tourists often visit Liverpool. Today, we will talk about the city’s central library, which is located in historic buildings. You can read more about the history of the library’s creation and reconstruction on the iliverpool.info website.
The History of the Library’s Creation and Reconstruction
Liverpool Central Library first opened its doors to visitors in 1860. The library shared its first building with the William Brown Museum. Later, in 1879, the library was extended with the addition of the Picton Reading Room. During the Second World War, the reading room building was damaged, but it was subsequently restored.
In 2008, another reconstruction was announced. Some parts of the buildings were to be demolished, while the historic structures were to be repaired. The reading room, in turn, was to be modernised and made more convenient for readers.
It should be noted that the main building, following the reconstruction, features a central atrium with a series of open floors. The atrium itself has a glass dome. There is also a roof terrace which offers a magnificent view of the entire city. The reconstruction of the city’s central library was completed and presented to the public in 2013.
It is worth noting that near the entrance to the reading room, there is a granite walkway on which the titles of literary classics are ‘written’. Some letters in the titles are highlighted in red. If you put these highlighted letters together, you get the name of an item in the library’s collection. This puzzle was created to make it interesting for readers. Furthermore, the puzzle was presented as a competition in which 500 people took part. Incidentally, 200 people gave the correct answer.
Interesting Facts about Liverpool Central Library
- The reconstruction of the city’s Central Library cost approximately £55 million. However, the funds did not come solely from the public purse. The reconstruction was carried out through a public-private partnership. This means that for 25 years, the library and archive belong to Liverpool City Council. But the company ‘Inspire Partnership’ leases the premises to be responsible for the building’s maintenance. This is done to ensure that the library does not deteriorate over the 25 years.
- In the Oak Room within the library, rare books are kept, protected by bulletproof glass. For example, a copy of John James Audubon’s ‘Birds of America’ is valued at around £12 million.
- In April 2023, a ceremony was held to mark the twinning of Liverpool Central Library and the Odesa Regional Universal Scientific Library named after M.S. Hrushevsky. King Charles III raised the Ukrainian flag over the partnership memorandum. It should be noted that His Majesty paid tribute to Ukraine’s losses during the war and emphasised the importance of the work of libraries in modern society.
Great Britain holds its libraries and archives in high regard, as they are monuments of cultural heritage. It is in libraries and reading rooms that history is preserved for future generations. They play an important role in the life of society and the development of the country as a whole.
Liverpool Central Library is one of the largest libraries in the United Kingdom. It combines modern facilities with a historic 19th-century building. In this library, a vibrant space has been created for young people and children alike. The library is visited not only by local residents but also by tourists, amounting to over one million readers per year.
We hope you found our article interesting and that you have learned more about your home city. How often do you visit libraries? Do you like Liverpool Central Library after its reconstruction?