The grand building that graces Ramsden Square in Barrow-in-Furness, with its imposing columns and the warm glow of reading lamps spilling from its arched windows, wasn’t always a haven for bookworms. The town’s love affair with literature began much humbler, with the first library opening its doors in 1882. Nestled in temporary iron structures at Schneider Square, it offered a modest collection for the growing community—rows of well-worn books lining the shelves of the dimly lit structure, offering the smooth, cool feel of paper and the comforting weight of a good book in hand.
In 1887, the library found a new home within the walls of Barrow Town Hall. However, the town’s thirst for knowledge couldn’t be contained within a single room. Enter Andrew Carnegie, the renowned philanthropist, whose vision for free public libraries saw the construction of the present building. Designed by J.A. Charles in the Beaux-Arts style, the grand structure, with its ornate façade, intricate carvings, and soaring ceilings, stood as a beacon of knowledge. Though engraved with the year 1915, the library’s grand opening was delayed by the interruptions of the First World War—the clatter of construction silenced by the distant echoes of war, the scent of fresh paint and polished wood mingling with the lingering aroma of old books.
Finally, in 1922, the heavy oak doors swung open, welcoming eager readers with the hushed whispers of turning pages and the soft thud of books placed on wooden tables. The library offered a permanent and impressive space for literary exploration.
The story doesn’t end there! The building also housed the Furness Museum from 1930, showcasing local and global treasures. However, in 1991, the museum found a new, larger home, becoming the Dock Museum.
The library itself kept evolving. In 1998, a collaboration with the Cumbria Archive Service saw the establishment of a local archives branch and a dedicated space for local studies. This partnership created a treasure trove of historical documents alongside the vast collection of books—fragile parchment crackling with age and the rough texture of ancient maps inviting exploration, the musty scent of aged paper and leather-bound volumes filling the air.
Today, Barrow Library stands proudly as the town’s central library, a testament to the community’s enduring love for learning. But its history whispers of humble beginnings, a world war’s delay, and a shared space with local treasures. #Barrow #LibrariesOfInstagram #BarrowLibrary #CumbriaHistory