1937 Library (Swansea University)
Library in Swansea, Wales
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The 1937 Library is a Grade II-listed Modern Movement library at Swansea University, Wales. It was built in the 1930s.[1]
| 1937 Library | |
|---|---|
 1937 Library | |
 Interactive map of the 1937 Library area | |
| General information | |
| Type | Library |
| Architectural style | Modern Movement |
| Location | Swansea University, Swansea,  Wales |
| Coordinates | 51.610422°N 3.978090°W |
| Opened | 19 October 1937 |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | Verner O. Rees |
| Website | |
| https://www.swansea.ac.uk/library/ | |
History
With the growth of the University College of Swansea in the 1920s the old library based in Singleton Abbey was no longer suitable.[1] A competition was held in 1934 and was won by the London architect Verner O. Rees who designed other university libraries including the now-demolished University of Birmingham Library which was constructed in 1959.[2] The library was officially opened by the Duke of Kent on 19 October 1937.[3] The university's foundation stone, which was put into storage after King George V laid it in 1920, was placed into the bricks of this new library.[1]
The 1937 Library now forms the East wing of the much enlarged Library and Information Building complex which was designed by architects Sir Percy Thomas & Son in 1963.[4] The library reading room has exposed concrete roof beams that now house the law library opened by Hon. Mr Justice John Thomas on 27 September 2001.[5]
A public lecture by Andrew Green and an exhibition were held in 2017 to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the building's opening.[6]
Location
The 1937 Library is located on the Mall in Singleton Park, Swansea.
Gallery
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