Derby Central Library
Encyclopedia
Derby Central Library was established in 1879 with Derby Museum and Art Gallery
, in a red brick building designed in the Domestic Flemish Gothic style by Richard Knill Freeman
and given to Derby by Michael Thomas Bass. It is Derby's main public and reference library, the largest branch of Derby City Libraries run by the unitary authority
that governs the city.
, a number of circulating libraries existed in Derby. Typically these libraries were run by booksellers and relied on a subscription payment by their members.
The "permanent" library in Derby was established in 1811 in Queen Street. This library was open to people who by the 1830s could afford to buy a four guinea share and pay an annual subscription of another guinea. In 1832 this library had 84 members. In 1858, the book collection incorporated the 4,000 volume library of the Derby Philosophical Society
. In 1863 the botanist Alexander Croall was appointed the first Librarian and Curator and the following year the museum and library were joined together. Croall left in 1875
to become the curator of the Smith Institute in Stirling
.
Although the possibility was considered by the council, Derby Borough did not take advantage of the powers inferred by the 1850 Act for some years. Then in 1878 the 7th Duke of Devonshire
donated his Derbyshire collection of books and papers to the Borough. A suitable home for this material was needed, but it wasn't until the following year that the Borough was able to provide the people of Derby with a free library service, as a result of Mr. Bass's gift.
On Saturday 28 June 1879 Mr. Bass performed the official opening of The Derby Free Library and Museum, the cause of great celebration in the town. The ceremony involved an official reception of Mr. Bass at the Midland Railway
Station followed by an elegant luncheon at the Midland Hotel and a procession to the Market Place, along decorated streets packed with excited crowds of people. Mr Bass then presented the title deeds to the Mayor at the Town Hall. The party then moved on to the Free Library itself, where Mr. Bass took a tour before returning to the steps and declaring the building open.
The book collection offered by the new library included the Devonshire collection as well as the contents of the Permanent Library and Philosophical Society. By September 1898 the lending collection totalled almost 20,000 volumes and the reference collection over 11,000.
In 1914 the curator's house alongside the library was demolished to make way for an extension to the building, intended to house the recently acquired Bemrose Library. The Bemrose Library had been purchased after the money was raised from the public. The Library had been in the possession of Sir Henry Howe Bemrose
.
In 1964 the Museum and Art Gallery expanded into a newly-built wing on The Strand, but leaving the original 19th century building partly shared between the Library and the Museum. One of the library's quiet rooms in named for Alfred Goodey
who funded the additional building.
Derby Museum and Art Gallery
Derby Museum and Art Gallery was established in 1879, along with Derby Central Library, in a new building designed by Richard Knill Freeman and given to Derby by Michael Thomas Bass. The collection includes a whole gallery displaying the paintings of Joseph Wright of Derby; there is also a large...
, in a red brick building designed in the Domestic Flemish Gothic style by Richard Knill Freeman
Richard Knill Freeman
Richard Knill Freeman was a British architect who began his career at Derby and moved to Bolton, Lancashire in the late 1860s. His work, in Victorian Gothic style and typically recalling the Decorated Period of later medieval architecture, can be seen in several cities and towns across the north...
and given to Derby by Michael Thomas Bass. It is Derby's main public and reference library, the largest branch of Derby City Libraries run by the unitary authority
Unitary authority
A unitary authority is a type of local authority that has a single tier and is responsible for all local government functions within its area or performs additional functions which elsewhere in the relevant country are usually performed by national government or a higher level of sub-national...
that governs the city.
History
Prior to the Public Libraries Act 1850Public Libraries Act 1850
The Public Libraries Act 1850 was an Act of the United Kingdom Parliament which first gave local boroughs the power to establish free public libraries...
, a number of circulating libraries existed in Derby. Typically these libraries were run by booksellers and relied on a subscription payment by their members.
The "permanent" library in Derby was established in 1811 in Queen Street. This library was open to people who by the 1830s could afford to buy a four guinea share and pay an annual subscription of another guinea. In 1832 this library had 84 members. In 1858, the book collection incorporated the 4,000 volume library of the Derby Philosophical Society
Derby Philosophical Society
The Derby Philosophical Society was a club for gentleman in Derby founded in 1783 by Erasmus Darwin. The club had many notable members and also offered the first institutional library in Derby that was available to some section of the public.-History:...
. In 1863 the botanist Alexander Croall was appointed the first Librarian and Curator and the following year the museum and library were joined together. Croall left in 1875
to become the curator of the Smith Institute in Stirling
Stirling Smith Museum and Art Gallery
Stirling Smith Art Gallery and Museum is an institution based in Stirling, Central Scotland, dedicated to the promotion of cultural and historical heritage and the arts, from a local scale to nationally and beyond. It is also known locally by its original name of "The Smith Institute"...
.
Although the possibility was considered by the council, Derby Borough did not take advantage of the powers inferred by the 1850 Act for some years. Then in 1878 the 7th Duke of Devonshire
William Cavendish, 7th Duke of Devonshire
William Cavendish, 7th Duke of Devonshire KG, PC , styled as Lord Cavendish of Keighley between 1831 and 1834 and known as The Earl of Burlington between 1834 and 1858, was a British landowner, benefactor and politician.-Background and education:Cavendish was the son of William Cavendish, eldest...
donated his Derbyshire collection of books and papers to the Borough. A suitable home for this material was needed, but it wasn't until the following year that the Borough was able to provide the people of Derby with a free library service, as a result of Mr. Bass's gift.
On Saturday 28 June 1879 Mr. Bass performed the official opening of The Derby Free Library and Museum, the cause of great celebration in the town. The ceremony involved an official reception of Mr. Bass at the Midland Railway
Midland Railway
The Midland Railway was a railway company in the United Kingdom from 1844 to 1922, when it became part of the London, Midland and Scottish Railway....
Station followed by an elegant luncheon at the Midland Hotel and a procession to the Market Place, along decorated streets packed with excited crowds of people. Mr Bass then presented the title deeds to the Mayor at the Town Hall. The party then moved on to the Free Library itself, where Mr. Bass took a tour before returning to the steps and declaring the building open.
The book collection offered by the new library included the Devonshire collection as well as the contents of the Permanent Library and Philosophical Society. By September 1898 the lending collection totalled almost 20,000 volumes and the reference collection over 11,000.
In 1914 the curator's house alongside the library was demolished to make way for an extension to the building, intended to house the recently acquired Bemrose Library. The Bemrose Library had been purchased after the money was raised from the public. The Library had been in the possession of Sir Henry Howe Bemrose
Henry Howe Bemrose
Sir Henry Howe Bemrose was a British printer and publisher, as well as mayor and later Conservative Member of Parliament for Derby.-Life:...
.
In 1964 the Museum and Art Gallery expanded into a newly-built wing on The Strand, but leaving the original 19th century building partly shared between the Library and the Museum. One of the library's quiet rooms in named for Alfred Goodey
Alfred E. Goodey
Alfred E. Goodey was a collector of paintings, prints and photographs, especially those connected with the English Midlands town of Derby.-Biography:...
who funded the additional building.