Aston Library
Aston Library | |
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![]() The building on the corner of Witton Road (on the left) and Albert Road | |
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General information | |
Status | Grade II listed |
Location | Aston, West Midlands |
Country | United Kingdom |
Coordinates | 52°30′13.784″N 1°53′44.516″W / 52.50382889°N 1.89569889°W grid reference SP 07171 89551 |
Completed | 1881 |
Design and construction | |
Architect(s) | William Henman |
Website | |
www |
Aston Library is a public library in Aston, West Midlands, England, built in 1881. It is a Grade II listed building.[1]
History and description
The building, designed by William Henman, was erected in 1880–81. It was slightly smaller than had been originally planned; the original intention, to house the offices of Aston Manor, with a separate building for the library, was amended so that the library was on the ground floor, and the boardroom and offices were on the first floor.[1]
The Manor of Aston became a borough in 1903, with council offices in the building. From 1911, Aston was part of the city of Birmingham.[1][2] The building is now a public library of Birmingham City Council.[3]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/22/Aston_Library_-_Free_Library_-_former_Aston_Manor_Council_Offices_and_Libary_on_Witton_Road%2C_Aston_-_Polygonal_Corner_Tower_-_Weather_Vane_%284258701847%29.jpg/220px-Aston_Library_-_Free_Library_-_former_Aston_Manor_Council_Offices_and_Libary_on_Witton_Road%2C_Aston_-_Polygonal_Corner_Tower_-_Weather_Vane_%284258701847%29.jpg)
It is described in the listing text as designed in "a loosely Jacobean style". The building, on the corner of Witton Road and Albert Road, is nearly symmetrical. It has an octagonal corner turret at the centre, surmounted by a weather vane bearing the date 1881.[1]
There are fifteen bays on either side of the turret, divided into clusters of three bays. Above the Witton Road entrance is a stone pediment and a tablet which reads "FREE LIBRARY". The Albert Road entrance has an arched portal, leading to a porch where there is a granite foundation stone showing the name of the architect.[1]
References
- ^ a b c d e Historic England. "Aston Council Chamber (1405553)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 3 January 2023.
- ^ "History of Aston" Astonbrook-through-Astonmanor. Retrieved 3 January 2023.
- ^ "Aston library" Birmingham City Council. Retrieved 3 January 2023.
External links
Media related to Aston Library at Wikimedia Commons
- Pages using gadget WikiMiniAtlas
- Infobox mapframe without OSM relation ID on Wikidata
- Coordinates on Wikidata
- Articles with OS grid coordinates
- Commons category link from Wikidata
- Articles with ISNI identifiers
- Grade II listed library buildings
- Grade II listed buildings in Birmingham
- Libraries in Birmingham, West Midlands
- Library buildings completed in 1881
- Pages using the Kartographer extension