1937 Library (Swansea University)

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
Map
General information
TypeLibrary
Architectural styleModern Movement
LocationSwansea University
Town or citySwansea
CountryWales Wales
Coordinates51°36′38″N 3°58′41″W / 51.610422°N 3.978090°W / 51.610422; -3.978090
Opened19 October 1937
Design and construction
Architect(s)Verner O. Rees
Website
https://www.swansea.ac.uk/library/

History edit

 
The 1937 Library Reading Room

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 edit

The 1937 Library is located on the Mall in Singleton Park, Swansea.

Gallery edit

 
 
 

References edit

  1. ^ a b c "Verner O. Rees - Swansea University". www.swansea.ac.uk. Retrieved 2023-05-02.
  2. ^ "Green Heart FAQs". University of Birmingham. Retrieved 2023-05-02.
  3. ^ https://www.swansea.ac.uk/media/library-brochure.pdf
  4. ^ modernmoocher. "1937 Library". modernmooch.com. Retrieved 2023-05-02.
  5. ^ "Main Library, University College, Swansea: the reading room with the exposed concrete roof beams". RIBApix. Retrieved 2023-05-02.
  6. ^ Williams, Steve (2017-12-11), 80th Anniversary of the 1937 Library at Swansea University, retrieved 2023-05-02