Central Library, Blackpool

Predecessor

Blackpool Free Library was established in Blackpool in 1880. In January 1880 it was reported that premises had been secured in The Octagon Room in Talbot Road, and that the library was expected to open in April 1880 or earlier. 300 volumes had been presented or bought for the library.

Its first librarian, appointed in January 1880, was Hannah Eteson, the first woman to be appointed chief librarian of a public library in England. She was one of five shortlisted candidates from 170 applicants, with one other woman shortlisted, and it was noted that although some members of the appointing committee had initially been opposed to the appointment of a woman, she was "beyond doubt exceedingly well suited in several important particulars for the post". She was initially the only member of staff, but an assistant had been appointed by December 1881. The librarian's report for that month recorded 2,384 books issued for home reading; 3,708 adults and 117 children using the library; and 1,678 current tickets. In discussion over whether to raise the two women's salaries (from £1/week and 8 shillings/week respectively) it was noted that they worked up to fourteen hours a day.

Eteson resigned from her post in autumn 1891, ahead of her marriage. A columnist in The Fleetwood Chronicle noted that for eleven years she had "fulfilled the duties of chief librarian in a manner that has called forth praise not only from the Library Committee of the Corporation and the people of Blackpool but also from librarians of other towns as well as visitors", and that book losses had been lower than in other comparable libraries. The writer suggested that Eteson's deputy, Miss Lewtas, should be promoted to fill her place. In January 1892, as Mrs Bate-Jones, the former Miss Eteson was presented with a cheque for £20 by the chairman of the Library Committee, a testimonial raised in appreciation of her work and the "uniform courtesy and urbanity which always characterised the discharge of her duties".

Central Library

In 1908, a site was picked for a new library and art gallery on Queen Street. It was partly financed by Bury artists Cuthbert and John Grundy. Construction started on the building in 1909, and it was completed in 1911. It was designed by Scottish architecture firm Cullen, Lochhead and Brown, who had won a competition for the project. In August 2010, the library closed to the public to undergo a year-long renovation that cost £3 million. It reopened on 26 September 2011. The library celebrated its centenary on 26 October 2011.