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One storey. Central reading rooms with two parallel wings which run at right angles to the façade. Small 1973 extension to right. Edwardian Free Style, with Baroque and Elizabethan elements. Symmetrical 3-bay, 1 storey façade with an attic storey in the large gable over the central bay. Coupled ionic semi-columns support an open entablature and semi-circular hood with reclining figures to either side (representing art and literature) egg and dart enrichment, triple keystone to semi-circular door head with date plaque and elaborate cartouche. Two reclining figures, representing art and literature, are placed above central doorway. The male figure on the left is shown studying, holding a pair of compasses in his right hand. On the right hand side, a female figure is reading a scroll stretched across her lap.

In 1904 an application was made to Andrew Carnegie for funds to build a new public library. Until this point Heywood's public library facilities had consisted of two newsrooms housed in council offices. The initial donation was of £6,000, but was raised to £6,300 on a second application to cover extra costs. The Library was maintained by the addition of a penny rate levied under the terms of the Free Libraries Act. The site was considered somewhat unfavourable, being surrounded by "fair stalls with all their accompanying paraphernalia" and a row of dilapidated houses, both of which were thought to detract from the "beauty of the architecture." The building designed by the architects Sidney North (1872-1951) and Charles Robin was one of Heywood's first major civic buildings. The opening was the occasion of a civic celebration, with a procession of the Library Committee and local police. A gold key was presented to Mr. Smith the Mayor by the architects and was used to open the library for the first time. It was hoped that it would open the door to "much pleasure and profit."(1)

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Darley Dale stone

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