Old Library, Cardiff
| The Old Library | |
|---|---|
| Yr Hen Lyfrgell | |
 |
|
| Former names | Cardiff Free Library Cardiff Central Library |
| Alternative names | Cardiff Story |
| General information | |
| Town or city | Cardiff |
| Country | Wales |
| Coordinates | 51°28′48″N 3°10′38″W / 51.4801°N 3.1773°WCoordinates: 51°28′48″N 3°10′38″W / 51.4801°N 3.1773°W |
| Opened | 31 May 1882 |
| Design and construction | |
| Architecture firm | James, Seward and Thomas |
| Designations | Grade II* listed |
The Old Library (Welsh: Yr Hen Lyfrgell) in Cardiff, Wales, is a Grade II* listed building and is located in the centre of the city at the northern end of The Hayes. Originally the Cardiff Free Library, it was used as the city's Central Library until it was replaced in 1988. It has been used for other purposes since that time and it is currently the location of the Cardiff Story museum and the city centre's main Tourist Information point. It is noted for its fine colonnaded exterior and original tiled entrance corridor.
Plans for a new "grand and commanding" Cardiff Free Library and Museum were put before Cardiff Town Council in 1874. There were two options for the site, one being owned by Marquess of Bute at the corner of Wood Street and St Mary Street (though and attracting a hefty ground rent), the other owned by the Cardiff Council. Because of the restrictions and costs imposed by the Bute Trustees, the St Mary Street site was rejected in October 1874. In 1879 another option, to rebuild and extend the existing Free Library at the Cardiff Market, was rejected in favour of a Council-owned site on Working Street (which joins The Hayes), with rent-free incentives.
A competition was held to choose a design for the new Cardiff Free Library. The winning design was by architects James, Seward and Thomas, and the building was erected between 1880 and 1882 for just over £9,000. The Cardiff Free Library, Museum and Schools for Science and Art (including an art gallery) was opened on 31 May 1882 by the Mayor of Cardiff, Alfred Thomas. The day was declared a public holiday, with the town's shops closed and a procession of over 5000 people making their way through the streets to the library, then dispersing at the Cardiff Arms Park.
The building was further extended to the south fourteen years later, with a new south frontage designed by James, Seward & Thomas and constructed by local builders E Turner & Sons, more than doubling the size of the building to 12,600 square feet at a cost of £45,000. This was officially re-opened by the Prince of Wales on 27 July 1896 at a ceremony in front of almost 700 people assembled in the new reading room. The Prince and Princess of Wales were the subject of the first ever news film shot in Britain during this visit.
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