Barrow-in-Furness Main Public Library
Encyclopedia
Barrow-in-Furness Main Public Library (also known as Barrow Central Public Library) is a Grade II listed building located at Ramsden Square, Barrow-in-Furness
, United Kingdom
, which serves as the town's main public library
. The library was initially established in 1882 and was situated near to Barrow Town Hall
, however a growing population required a much larger complex that was eventually built on Abbey Road by Ramsden Square (the current building). The building itself is dated 1915 (denoted by an engraving by the main entrance which reads 'ANNO DNI MCMXV'), despite this the library wasn't fully completed and opened until 1922 due to a building lapse as a result of World War I
. The library also formerly housed the Furness Museum which had a number of artefacts from across the world alongside collections centred around local history, the museum which opened in 1922 like the library itself closed down in 1991 and most of the museums exhibits were moved to a larger purpose built site next to the Walney Channel; the Dock Museum
. Despite the loss of the Furness Museum, Barrow-in-Furness Main Public Library is still home to the local record and archive office
. Besides the Main Public Library there are six other libraries in the borough (Askam
, Barrow Island, Dalton
, Ormsgill
, Roose
and Walney
).
Barrow-in-Furness
Barrow-in-Furness is an industrial town and seaport which forms about half the territory of the wider Borough of Barrow-in-Furness in the county of Cumbria, England. It lies north of Liverpool, northwest of Manchester and southwest from the county town of Carlisle...
, United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, which serves as the town's main public library
Public library
A public library is a library that is accessible by the public and is generally funded from public sources and operated by civil servants. There are five fundamental characteristics shared by public libraries...
. The library was initially established in 1882 and was situated near to Barrow Town Hall
Barrow-in-Furness Town Hall
Barrow-in-Furness Town Hall is a Victorian-era, neo-gothic municipal building in Barrow-in-Furness, England. The building serves as the base of Barrow Borough Council and houses a number of local government departments. The building was constructed in a four year period entirely from local sandstone...
, however a growing population required a much larger complex that was eventually built on Abbey Road by Ramsden Square (the current building). The building itself is dated 1915 (denoted by an engraving by the main entrance which reads 'ANNO DNI MCMXV'), despite this the library wasn't fully completed and opened until 1922 due to a building lapse as a result of World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
. The library also formerly housed the Furness Museum which had a number of artefacts from across the world alongside collections centred around local history, the museum which opened in 1922 like the library itself closed down in 1991 and most of the museums exhibits were moved to a larger purpose built site next to the Walney Channel; the Dock Museum
Dock Museum
The Dock Museum is situated in the town of Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, England. Its exhibits are largely based around the history of the town, heavily focusing on the shipbuilding industry at VSEL , the steelworks industry — of which Barrow once had the world's largest and the World War II bombings...
. Despite the loss of the Furness Museum, Barrow-in-Furness Main Public Library is still home to the local record and archive office
Public Record Office
The Public Record Office of the United Kingdom is one of the three organisations that make up the National Archives...
. Besides the Main Public Library there are six other libraries in the borough (Askam
Askam and Ireleth
During the Middle Ages, the entire area was controlled by the Cistercian monks of Furness Abbey. During this time, Ireleth was little more than one of many farming communities in Furness. The iron ore developments of Askam largely bypassed Ireleth, and the village developed slowly, housing farmers...
, Barrow Island, Dalton
Dalton-in-Furness
Dalton-in-Furness is a small town of 8,394 people, north east of Barrow-in-Furness, in Cumbria, England.-History:Dalton is mentioned in the Domesday Book, written as "Daltune" as one of the townships forming the Manor of Hougun held by Earl Tostig. Historically, it was the capital of Furness...
, Ormsgill
Ormsgill
Ormsgill is a ward of Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, England. It is bordered by Hindpool, Parkside, Hawcoat, Roanhead and the Walney Channel. The population of the ward in 2001 stood at 5,961...
, Roose
Roose
Roose or Roosecote is a suburb and ward of Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, England. The word 'roose' is Celtic for "moor" or "heath" and the suffix 'cote' of Roosecote means "hut" or "huts"...
and Walney
Walney Island
The Isle of Walney, also known as Walney Island, is an island in the United Kingdom which lies off the west coast of England, at the northern tip of Morecambe Bay. It forms part of the Borough of Barrow-in-Furness, and it is separated from the mainland at Barrow by Walney Channel, a narrow channel...
).