Aston Cross Library - A Birmingham Gem!

A former public library on the Lichfield Road at Aston Cross, Birmingham. It was opened in October 1903 from the Aston Manor Urban District Council.


Where is Aston Cross Library?

The former Aston Cross Library is at the Old Library, 1 Lichfield Road, Aston, Birmingham, B6 5RW

 

In brief

A public library built on the Lichfield Road in Aston in 1903. It was opposite the Ansells Brewery and HP Sauce factory (until they closed down). The building hasn't been a library for a long time, there is rooms to let inside. Funds to built it was provided by Andrew Carnegie, on a site gifted by William and Edward Ansell.

Aston Cross LibraryAston Cross Library (December 2016). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Aston Cross Library - history

When the Aston Manor Urban District Council was created in 1903, they chose a site on the Lichfield Road between Birmingham and Aston for Aston Cross Library.

The land was donated by the nearby Ansells Brewery, and the building paid for by Andrew Carnegie.

The building was opened on the 30th October 1903 by Alderman Edward Ansell.

The site was a gift of Messrs William and Edward Ansell.

The funds provided by Andrew Carnegie.

Aston Manor was incorporated into Birmingham by 1911.

When the was library closed in the 1970s, the collections of books, maps and newspapers were transferred to Birmingham Central Library.

The building hasn't been used as a library for a very long time, but it might be used now as flats.

Aston Cross LibraryAston Cross Library (December 2016). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

The building to the left was Learning Impact International Ltd until 2011, then after a period of being empty, it was turned into Spa Diamond in 2016, but the building is for sale / to let as of 2022.

Aston Cross LibraryAston Cross Library (December 2016). Photography by Elliott Brown

Project dates

17 Jan 2023 - On-going

Passions

History & heritage, Civic pride, Classic Architecture

Contact

Your Place Your Space

Jonathan Bostock

0121 410 5520
jonathan.bostock@ yourplaceyourspace.com