Dunfermline Carnegie Library facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Dunfermline Carnegie Library |
|
|---|---|
Dunfermline Carnegie Library
|
|
| General information | |
| Type | Public library |
| Architectural style | Domestic Tudor |
| Location | Dunfermline, Scotland |
| Coordinates | 56°04′13″N 3°27′43″W / 56.0704°N 3.4620°W |
| Construction started | 1881 |
| Completed | 29 August 1883 |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | James Campbell Walker |
The Dunfermline Carnegie Library is a very special building in Dunfermline, Scotland. It opened on August 29, 1883. This library was the very first of more than 2,500 libraries around the world funded by Andrew Carnegie. He was a Scottish-American businessman who loved to help people.
The library was designed by an architect named James Campbell Walker from Edinburgh. He also designed the Dunfermline City Chambers nearby. Andrew Carnegie gave £8,000 to build and fill this first library with books. In 1971, the library was recognized as an important historic building.
Contents
The Library's Story
How It Started
In 1879, Andrew Carnegie decided to fund a new library for Dunfermline. This was his hometown in Scotland. James Campbell Walker drew up the building plans in 1880. On July 27, 1881, Carnegie's mother, Margaret Carnegie, laid the first stone.
Opening Day and Early Years
The library opened in 1883. It was such a big event that the town declared a public holiday! The library had a main room for books. It also had separate reading rooms for ladies and gentlemen. There was even a recreation room and a smoking room. The first librarian, Alexander Peebles, was chosen from 250 people.
The library was very popular, but it quickly became too small. Its layout also wasn't ideal. To fix this, the Carnegie Dunfermline Trust joined with the town council. In 1904, they started building an extension. This new part was designed by James Shearer.
Growing Bigger
The extension was planned to more than double the library's size. However, because of the First World War, it wasn't finished until 1922. After the extension was complete, the town council took full control again. The Carnegie Dunfermline Trust continued to help by giving £400 a year until 1958.
Another extension was added to the south side of the building. It opened on March 2, 1993. This addition brought new meeting rooms, exhibition spaces, and special areas for children's books and music. It also included a room for local history.
In November 2017, the library received a special award. It won the RIAS Andrew Doolan Best Building in Scotland Award.
Discovering History: Archaeology
In August and September 2013, an archaeology dig took place. It was called "Dig Dunfermline" and lasted six weeks. The dig happened where Dunfermline's new museum and art gallery now stand. This new building connects to the library.
During the dig, archaeologists found several interesting things. They found a tile from a smokeless stove, possibly from the 1500s. They also uncovered the foundations of a medieval building. Even old leather fragments were discovered!
Museum and Art Gallery
In spring 2014, the Dunfermline Carnegie Library closed for a big project. This project was to create a new museum and art gallery. The plan was to take two years and cost £10.8 million. The library was expected to reopen in summer 2016.
However, the project took a bit longer and cost more. It was finished in spring 2017, and the cost rose to £12.4 million. The new museum and art gallery were designed by Scottish architect Richard Murphy.
The new building has a museum spread over two floors. It also includes a local studies center, three exhibition galleries, a children's library, and a cafe. The museum and art gallery officially opened on May 18, 2017.
See also
- Andrew Carnegie
- Carnegie Library
- Dunfermline
- List of Carnegie libraries in Europe
- List of listed buildings in Dunfermline, Fife
