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Old Library, Cardiff
The Old Library (Welsh: Yr Hen Lyfrgell) is a Grade II* listed building in Cardiff, Wales. It is located in the centre of the city at the northern end of The Hayes. Originally the Cardiff Free Library, it was used as the city's Central Library until it was replaced in 1988. It has been used for other purposes since that time and is currently the home of the Cardiff Story museum and (since 2021) the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama.
The building is noted for its colonnaded exterior and original tiled entrance corridor.
The 1882 Free Library building was 55 feet north to south, by 108 feet in width, with the public library on the ground floor, the schools on the first floor and the museum on the second floor (partially within the roof space and supported by semi-circular arched iron ribs).
The post-1896 building has two main storeys, plus a basement and the attic space. Built using Bath stone with Portland stone columns, the main south facade is symmetrical in a neoclassical style divided into three bays. The long east and west elevations are of similar materials and composition, but in a French classical style.
The original entrance to the building featured a corridor lined with ornamental wall tiles, designed to depict the four seasons and night and morning. These tiles were impressed with coloured clay to give the impression of a mosaic.
The building's original heaters have been retained and are rare examples of vertical tubed heaters, made by William Graham of London.
The building became Grade II* listed building in 1978, as one of the city's "finest public buildings".
Plans for a new "grand and commanding" Cardiff Free Library and Museum were put before Cardiff Town Council in 1874. There were two options for the site, one being owned by Marquess of Bute at the corner of Wood Street and St Mary Street (though and attracting a hefty ground rent), the other owned by the Cardiff Council. Because of the restrictions and costs imposed by the Bute Trustees, the St Mary Street site was rejected in October 1874. In 1879 another option, to rebuild and extend the existing Free Library at the Cardiff Market, was rejected in favour of a Council-owned site on Working Street (which joins The Hayes), with rent-free incentives.
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Old Library, Cardiff
The Old Library (Welsh: Yr Hen Lyfrgell) is a Grade II* listed building in Cardiff, Wales. It is located in the centre of the city at the northern end of The Hayes. Originally the Cardiff Free Library, it was used as the city's Central Library until it was replaced in 1988. It has been used for other purposes since that time and is currently the home of the Cardiff Story museum and (since 2021) the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama.
The building is noted for its colonnaded exterior and original tiled entrance corridor.
The 1882 Free Library building was 55 feet north to south, by 108 feet in width, with the public library on the ground floor, the schools on the first floor and the museum on the second floor (partially within the roof space and supported by semi-circular arched iron ribs).
The post-1896 building has two main storeys, plus a basement and the attic space. Built using Bath stone with Portland stone columns, the main south facade is symmetrical in a neoclassical style divided into three bays. The long east and west elevations are of similar materials and composition, but in a French classical style.
The original entrance to the building featured a corridor lined with ornamental wall tiles, designed to depict the four seasons and night and morning. These tiles were impressed with coloured clay to give the impression of a mosaic.
The building's original heaters have been retained and are rare examples of vertical tubed heaters, made by William Graham of London.
The building became Grade II* listed building in 1978, as one of the city's "finest public buildings".
Plans for a new "grand and commanding" Cardiff Free Library and Museum were put before Cardiff Town Council in 1874. There were two options for the site, one being owned by Marquess of Bute at the corner of Wood Street and St Mary Street (though and attracting a hefty ground rent), the other owned by the Cardiff Council. Because of the restrictions and costs imposed by the Bute Trustees, the St Mary Street site was rejected in October 1874. In 1879 another option, to rebuild and extend the existing Free Library at the Cardiff Market, was rejected in favour of a Council-owned site on Working Street (which joins The Hayes), with rent-free incentives.