Coatbridge Library

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Coatbridge Public Library
Coatbridgelibraryb.jpg
Coatbridge Public Library in 2009
Coatbridge Library
General information
Architectural style Beaux Arts
Town or city Coatbridge
Country Scotland
Design and construction
ArchitectAlexander Cullen

Coatbridge Library is a public library in Coatbridge, North Lanarkshire, Scotland.

Original location

The building was designed by Alexander Cullen and built in 1905. [1] It is a Carnegie library; its construction was financed by money donated by the Scottish-American entrepreneur Andrew Carnegie. Carnegie officially opened the library on 7 June 1906 in person; he received the ceremonial freedom of burgh of Coatbridge in return. [2]

The building was category B listed by Historic Scotland in 1993. It is a large, two-storey building of pink Corsehill sandstone, in the Beaux-Arts style. [3] The design was chosen by competition. [4] Built on a steep hill on Academy Street, it has an imposing looming presence. The rear of the building can be seen on the Coatbridge skyline when approached from the west via the A89 road.

In 2016, and after the relocation of the library services in 2010, permission was granted to the Clyde Valley Housing Association to convert the former Carnegie library into residential accommodation. Grant funded assistance came from Historic Environment Scotland, after the library was identified by the Coatbridge Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme as a funding priority. [5]

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References

  1. Coatbridge Express, 17 May 1905.
  2. "Monklands Memories- Coatbridge Library and Carnegie Story". www.monklands.co.uk. Archived from the original on 19 January 2018. Retrieved 5 February 2018.
  3. The Monklands, an illustrated architectural guide (1992), p 40.
  4. Historic Environment Scotland. "ACADEMY STREET, CARNEGIE LIBRARY, INCLUDING BOUNDARY WALL AND GATEPIERS (Category B Listed Building) (LB23012)" . Retrieved 14 March 2019.
  5. "Clyde Valley Housing Association to convert former Coatbridge library - Scottish Housing News". Scottish Housing News. 2 June 2016. Retrieved 19 January 2018.

Coordinates: 55°51′50″N04°01′42″W / 55.86389°N 4.02833°W / 55.86389; -4.02833