Carnegie Branch Library, Castleton, Rochdale

Won in competition

Designs for the new branch library at Castleton have been submitted by the local architects and Mr. Horsfall of Todmorden. After considering these a sub-committee has invited the competitors to send in a further design in accordance with amended instructions. [Rochdale Observer - Wednesday 30 November 1904 page 4]

Last Saturday Castleton, near Rochdale, was put in occupation of new free library premises and recreation ground. The library is to take the place of smaller branch premises which have been provided some years by the Corporation, and in order to gratify the wishes of the residents Mr Carnegie’s munificence has been taken advantage of. The multi-millionaire promised £2,500 towards the building and for that sum very suitable and capacious library and reading rooms have been built. The plans for the new building were prepared by our townsman, Mr Jesse Horsfall, and were selected by a committee from a number submitted by local firms of architects. Mr Horsfall was also the architect of the central library built some years ago near the Town Hall at Rochdale. At the opening, Mr Horsfall presented the Mayor (Alderman Fishwick) with a gold key with which to unlock the doors. [Todmorden & District News - Friday 10 November 1905 page 7]

Reference          Rochdale Observer - Wednesday 30 November 1904 page 4
Reference          British Architect 16 December 1904 Page 441 - design selected
Reference          Builder 4 March 1905 Page 253 (contracts)
Reference          British Architect 24 March 1905 Page ix (tenders)
Reference          Todmorden & District News - Friday 10 November 1905 page 7