Kingston Library celebrated its centenary in the current building in May 2003. Andrew Carnegie, the Scottish/American millionaire and philanthropist donated half the building costs and officially opened the new purpose built library on 11 May. He was so impressed with what he saw that he then donated the rest of the building costs.
Externally, there have been few changes to the Queen Anne style building. The fragment of pillar at the front is alleged to have come from King John's Palace. The shelving in the Study Room is part of the original fixtures and fittings and it, along with the building itself, is Listed by English Heritage. The entrance lobby has a memorial plaque to those officers and men from the local East Surrey Regiment who fell in the Boer War and there is a fine stained glass window commemorating the same event.
The interior was extensively renovated and refurbished in 1992/3 and reopened by crime novelist P.D.James. Kingston Library now offers a modern, forward looking service to its customers who can choose to borrow from the thousands of books and audio visual items or to browse the internet free of charge. Children enjoy their own bright and lively section in the building adjacent to the Museum. In 100 years we have come a long way from a few books and periodicals which customers had to ask for - no browsing the shelves then!
Opening times:
M 9.30am - 7pm
T 9.30am - 5.30pm
W Closed
T 9.30am - 8pm
F 9.30am - 5.30pm
S 9.00am - 5.30pm
S 1.30pm - 5pm
Leave a Comment
Phone: 020 8547 6400
Address: Fairfield Road, Kingston, KT1 2PS
Website: kingston.library@rbk.kingston.go
v.uk
email me
add as friend
on Oct 18, 2003
Comments for Fen about Kingston upon Thames