Central Library: Newspaper reading room

Category

Library Item

Item no

35266

Title

Central Library: Newspaper reading room

Description

Picture shows reconstruction to form Scottish Department and the Edinburgh Room.

Artist / maker

Unknown

Date

1960

Size

11.0 x 13.3 cm

Type

Photograph

Location

Edinburgh and Scottish Collection

The space that the Edinburgh & Scottish Collection occupies is the area that has changed most over the last 125 years. Originally, the room was tiled up to 8 feet. The tiles were designed for easy cleaning and there were also two fireplaces.
At first the Newsroom was accessible from the Cowgate, but for various reasons this entrance is no longer used. Off the Newsroom, there was a separate library for 'juveniles' (those under 14 years) and another area for 'higher-class magazines'. The Juvenile Department was so well used that some had to squat on the floor. The Economics and Commercial library was also housed here in 1936. The Mezzanine level was added in the 1950s.Edinburgh Central Public Library is, strictly speaking, located on the Cowgate. It rises up four floors from this level to its main entrance on George IV Bridge. It was designed by George Washington Browne, and built in 1887-90. It was built with money donated by the philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. Central Library acts as the community library for the centre of the city. It also has several subject dedicated sections: the Art and Design Library; Music Library; Edinburgh and Scottish Collection, and the Reference Library.

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Related subjects

Architecture > Architectural features > Columns

Architecture > Architectural features > Windows

Manufacturing Industry > Manufacturing facilities > Construction

Places > Edinburgh areas > Cowgate

Places > Edinburgh areas > Old Town

Places > Scotland > Edinburgh

Sport and leisure > Culture > Libraries