West Bromwich Central Library - A Sandwell Gem!

A public library built on the High Street in West Bromwich in 1907. It has been a Grade II listed building since 1987. Funds provided by Mr Andrew Carnegie.


Where is West Bromwich Central Library?

West Bromwich Central Library is at 316 High Street, West Bromwich, B70 8DZ

 

In brief

Originally a library was built into the town hall of West Bromwich of 1874-5. But a purpose built public library was built next door in 1907, by Stephen J Holliday, of red brick with yellow terracotta dressings. The building was a gift of Andrew Carnegie to the Borough. It has been a Grade II listed building since 1987, and is known as the Central Library, West Bromwich.

West Bromwich Central LibraryWest Bromwich Central Library (January 2023). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

West Bromwich Central Library - history

The building was a gift to the borough of West Bromwich by Mr Andrew Carnegie.

Built in 1907 as a Public Library, by Stephen J Holliday of West Bromwich, of red brick with yellow terracotta dressings.

There is murals in the stairwell and lending library, dating to 1913-24.

The latter illustrating the scenes from The Canterbury Tales.

Some repartitioning of the library when it was reorganised in 1937-8, they partitions and some shelving survives.

Today it is known as Central Library, West Bromwich, and is part of the Sandwell Libraries service.

West Bromwich Central LibraryWest Bromwich Central Library (April 2011). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

As of January 2024, the Central Library building was under scaffolding.

West Bromwich Central LibraryWest Bromwich Central Library (January 2024). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

 

Contact details

Central Library

High Street

West Bromwich

B70 8DZ

Tel: 0121 569 4900

Email: central_library@sandwell.gov.uk

Website: Central Library (West Bromwich)

Project dates

25 Jan 2023 - On-going

Passions

History & heritage, Civic pride, Education
Classic Architecture

Contact

Your Place Your Space

Jonathan Bostock

0121 410 5520
jonathan.bostock@ yourplaceyourspace.com