Libraries

Hove Library's 100th birthday

By Jennifer Drury

Hove Library was formally opened, by the Countess of Jersey, on July 8th 1908.  Today, exactly one hundred years later, The Mayor and Mayoress of Brighton and Hove, Councillor Garry Peltzer Dunn and Mrs Chip Peltzer Dunn, attended its birthday celebrations.  There are many more events and activities planned which you can find out about by phoning the library on 01273 290700.

Andrew Carnegie's donation
The building costs one hundred years ago are estimated to have been around £13,000.  £10,000 of this amount was donated by the Scottish born steel magnate and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie(1835-1919). In his lifetime Carnegie is estimated to have given away approximately $350m.  He funded over 2,800 libraries and also built New York's famous Carnegie Hall concert venue in 1890.

Recent renovation and restoration work
Hove Library's façade is designed in the Renaissance style faced with stone embellished with carvings of scrolls, ribbons, flowers and cherubs.  It was designated a Grade II listed building in 1992. Its most recent renovations includes toilets with disabled access and baby changing, lighting has been improved and CCTV set up to improve security.  Careful restoration work has been completed by bringing the oak parquet floors and ornate shelving back to their former glory. As a final touch the walls have been repainted with heritage colours.  You can read about all the work done on the library website.