Community, Events Venue, Cafe, Childcare Since 1905, The Old Library has been a symbol of hope in L13.
The Old Library, Green Lane
Liverpool
L137EB
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‘We want to be the spark that makes our area better, creating positive impacts that are felt by local families, businesses and others beyond our boundaries.’
The Old Library was formally ‘The Andrew Carnegie Library’ serving the West Derby constituency in East Liverpool. Designed by architect Thomas Shelmerdine, it was the only library in Liverpool that wealthy philanthropist Andrew Carnegie chose to fund directly. Opening in 1905, this impressive and historic building served the public as a library until its closure in 2006. Now Lister Steps, with support from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF), will restore this Grade II listed building to its former grandeur and create a landmark for the local community.
The project so far Since 2012, Lister Steps have been actively campaigning to save the former library building from further neglect. The building is currently owned by Liverpool City Council and Lister Steps gained Preferred Developer status when it was advertised for tender in 2012. A feasibility survey was carried out and Liverpool City Council funded £100, 000 of emergency holding works which took place as part of the HLF stage 1 development phase. Between August 2014 and January 2015, work took place to treat the wet and dry rot, make the building watertight and allow for ventilation.
Throughout 2015 and 2016, Lister Steps worked hard to progress their HLF application bid, appointing OMI Architects to re-design the building, raising the required match funding, developing relationships with potential delivery partners and consulting with stakeholders and the community. In November 2016, Lister Steps were awarded £3.95 million from Heritage Lottery Fund towards the full refurbishment of The Old Library and received the fantastic news that the project was approved to go ahead.
