The Old Library

The Old Library stands on the corner of Green Lane and Lister Drive, in the L13 area of north Liverpool.

Designed by architect Thomas Shelmerdine, the library was funded by wealthy philanthropist Andrew Carnegie who was so impressed with the ‘public spirit of Liverpool’ that he personally donated £13,000 towards its construction. Formally known as ‘The Andrew Carnegie Library’, this distinctive, historic building opened in June 1905 and served the public as a much-loved local library until its closure in 2006.

It stood empty and fell into disrepair until 2012, when Lister Steps began actively campaigning to save the building from further neglect. With so many fond memories of ‘The Old Library’, as it became known, we knew that the Grade II listed building was not only architecturally & historically significant but an important part of our community’s shared heritage.