Free and Public: Andrew Carnegie and the Libraries of Wales

A study of the thirty-five Carnegie libraries built in towns and industrial communities in Wales before the First World War, highlighting their social, cultural, and architectural significance and Carnegies philanthropic vision. It reviews the free and public library system in Wales and Great Britain and discusses Carnegies links with Wales, including his UK Trust's role in the county library movement after 1911.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 176 pages
Publication date: 15 June 2021
Publisher: University of Wales Press

A comprehensive examination of the thirty-five Carnegie libraries constructed in towns and industrial communities across Wales prior to the outbreak of the First World War. The library system is currently undergoing a significant transformation, drawing considerable attention to itself. These Carnegie buildings have yet to receive comprehensive documentation, and some of them are in a state of critical disrepair. This book serves as a valuable resource in showcasing the social, cultural, and architectural significance of these remarkable structures, while also shedding light on the extraordinary philanthropic vision of Andrew Carnegie. It provides a comprehensive review of the free and public library system in Wales and Great Britain, tracing its origins back to the First Public Libraries Act of 1850. Furthermore, it delves into Carnegie's remarkable career as "the richest man in the world," highlighting his unwavering commitment to promoting libraries for all individuals, regardless of age or gender. The book also explores the haphazard development of public libraries in the nineteenth century, within the context of Carnegie's connections with Wales and the circles he moved in within Britain. The largest section of the book focuses on the detailed examination of the locations, sites, and patrons of these libraries, as well as the architectural features of the buildings themselves. This section concludes with a discussion of Carnegie's legacy in Wales, emphasizing his significant contribution to the county library movement following the First World War through his UK Trust.

Weight: 234g
Dimension: 194 x 387 x 16 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781786837745