Irish Carnegie Libraries: : A Catalogue and Architectural History

Citation

Duckett, B. (1999), "Irish Carnegie Libraries: : A Catalogue and Architectural History", Library Review, Vol. 48 No. 6, pp. 52-53. https://doi.org/10.1108/lr.1999.48.6.52.12

A few years ago, members of the Library History Group of the (UK) Library Association, alarmed at the number of historic library buildings that were being demolished or altered beyond recognition, sought funding to carry out a survey of surviving buildings. This survey was to include both archive research into the history of the buildings, and a present‐day photographic and architectural description, all to be published in a quality book. Thus would a documentary record of our built heritage survive. Alas, sufficient funding was not forthcoming and, apart from a few local initiatives, the vision remains unrealised.

Except in Ireland. Here, enterprising architect and lecturer Brendan Grimes has, with the financial support of An Chomhairle Leabharlanna (Library Council), the Carnegie United Kingdom Trust, and the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland, and apparently single‐handedly, done such a project on 66 of the surviving libraries built with funds contributed by philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. This does not, of course, include those libraries built with other sources of funding, and the map of Ireland included in the book indicates large areas that are not featured, but the Carnegies are important library buildings and the obvious starting point for the history of public library architecture. Library and architectural historians alike will learn much from the book; local historians as well. For years to come library historians will, I am sure, refer to “Grimes” as the standard to follow.

The book consists of two main parts. The first is an architectural history. It gives an account of Andrew Carnegie and the work of his secretary James Bertram, and a history of the library movement in Ireland in general, and Carnegie libraries in particular. There is a chapter on books and newspapers, and one each on library planning, library equipment, and library management. Finally, library architecture and architects are considered. This part forms an excellent introduction to Irish library history for novice and sophisticate alike. There are details of the legislative background and some of the personalities involved in the movement for, and against, public libraries; received wisdom on the design and layout of library buildings, heating and lighting; library committees and the views of contemporary architects.

Armed with this knowledge of history, we come to the major part of the book: The Catalogue. “Catalogue” is perhaps an odd term to use, but not unreasonable. It is an alphabetical arrangement of towns, with details of the origin and design of their Carnegie‐funded library building. Each of the 66 entries gives an account of the background to the library′s establishment, the uses to which the building was put, and its present condition. There is a liberal sprinkling of plans and photographs and other illustrative material alongside a detailed prose account. Entries vary from two to five pages. There is a fair degree of standardisation in the accounts, which is helpful, though naturally each account varies depending on the nature of the evidence available. Thus Dundrum library in Dublin starts with the usual basic details of its local governing authority, architect, date opened, accommodation, and building materials used. This is followed by a good clear photograph of the building today, a two‐page prose history and architectural description, concluding with plans and a list of sources consulted.

The quantity and quality of detail is impressive. There are about a hundred black and white photographs, most of which were taken by the author himself, numerous plans, original line drawings and other illustrative material. There are four appendices listing libraries by floor areas and grants, by dates of adoption of the library acts and building completion, by county and city, and the money granted by Carnegie per county and city. There is a six‐page bibliography and an eight‐page three‐columned index. The physical presentation is superb, combining a feel of relaxed quality (generously‐sized illustration for example) with clear and precise guiding (such as chapter abstracts and copious source notes). Do I detect the influence of the excellent publications of the Historical Monuments Commission?

The variety of building styles is amazing: the castelled building at Skerries, the church‐like Shankhill, Sandyford′s bungalow, the barn‐like Kilcolman (Co. Kerry) and the massive library buildings of Waterford, Cork and the Falls Road (Belfast). Sadly, some of the buildings have been ruthlessly altered; the boarded‐up windows at Killorglin (“The library and garden are now badly neglected”) and Kilcolman (“the library ... has now assumed the rural function of a hayshed!”) are two of the sad testimonies of a happier past. Which just goes to show what a valuable record this book is, and what a debt we, and those yet to come, owe Brendan Grimes and the Irish Academic Press. A total of 2,509 libraries were paid for by Carnegie (and his trusts), 660 of them in Great Britain and Ireland. This excellent book should inspire other enthusiasts to carry on the task of documenting this great heritage.