City Libraries

Does anyone remember the public library in Walsgrave Road? I was an avid reader as a young girl (and still am), but like most of our generation our parents couldn't afford to buy books; so in the late 40s early 50s I looked forward to a weekly trip to the library. In those days you only spoke in whispers and even if you coughed you were glared at by the librarian. I used to love the children's department; my favourite author was Enid Blyton - I read all of her 'Famous Five' books. I used to get books for my mum whilst I was there; her favourite author was Daphne du Maurier. As you came out of the library there was a large reading room, I always wanted to go in there but children weren't allowed. I remember men used to sit on stools at high desks, looking very intelligent, reading broadsheet newspapers. I have a recollection of going to Central Library in Broadgate to use the reference library but it's very vague.

Hello Tricia. The Walsgrave Rd, branch was my local library too, but it was the central, or Gulson library, as it was called that I used more often. I did most of my school homework in there. We finished school at about 3.30pm and I often took advantage of my mum's offer of a lift home from her shop, which did not close until 6pm (the normal time in those days), so I used to call into the central library, walking from school to her shop and completed whatever homework that I had to do. As you recall, library rules in those days were strictly maintained with a total hush. You had quite a walk from where you lived to Walsgrave Rd. In my junior school days, I too liked the 'famous five stories, but I prefered the 'secret seven'. I believe that one of the 'secret seven' stories is all about the famous five coming into existance. The first of the Rev. Awdry little train books were just appearing. My favorite was 'Henry the Green engine', coming to grief in the snow and the guard spilling his coco. In my senior school days I like science fiction, space adventures in particular.

The Libraries were a godsend to someone like me who had crap parents. I used Holbrooks branch, the nearest, then once I was allowed to go on buses by myself, I went to the Central Library in the ex church near the Cathedrals, and Jubilee Crescent. Is Holbrooks Branch Library still open? It's just the sort of area that needs a library.

It may have looked like a church but it was one of three libraries in the city built in the neo-gothic style at the expense of the American philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. The others were Stoke and Earlsdon.

Hi Tricia, You'll be pleased to hear that Stoke Library in Walsgrave Road is still there (despite all the recent cutbacks). I used to go there regularly in the late 70s - early 80s.... and in an indirect way it helped me get the job that I'm still in 30 years later! That's because my mum found a beginners "radio & electronics" book in there and brought it home one day after I'd mentioned something about how fascinating it would be to know how a radio worked. Well, every 4 weeks or so after that I'd simply return that book and take it straight back out again for at least a year (they should've let me keep it !), and meanwhile I learnt and built nearly every radio and amplifier circuit in there. I took some of those circuits with me to the GEC for my interview for an apprenticeship, and that sealed my fate from there on. Right, I'm off there now.... on me bike! Cheers, Rob

rosaoakwood mentioned libraries in Holbrooks and Jubilee Crescent. This got my husband thinking, he was brought up in Radford and remembers having a library ticket, buff coloured square of cardboard with the corner cut off, but cannot remember going to the library. The most likely library he would have gone to was in Jubilee Crescent; he would love to know where exactly in the Crescent it was. It would also be good to know where the library in Holbrooks was/is.

Hello Tricia. The Holbrooks branch library used to be in the grounds of what is now John Shelton school in Briscoe Rd. It was moved to its new location next to the new Tesco, when the Ricoh arena shopping centre was opened. The original building is used as a youth centre. Could not find any online pics so popped out to get my own.

Pictures for Tricia. The former Holbrooks Library this morning, now a youth centre. Stoke library this morning. Shut as it's Wednesday. Gosford Green, this morning. Hope happy memories, Tricia.

Tricia, if I remember correctly back in the early fifties the Library in Jubilee Crescent was either next door or next door but one to the chippie, I also remember the ticket with the cut off corner. Regards, creteskyblue.

Thank you Philip, it was very kind of you to take the photos. Its many years since I visited Stoke Library and the photo brought back many happy memories. I also enjoyed seeing Gosford Green Park, I have promised myself a trip around the area soon. I went to school at St Mary's in Lansdowne Street and the back of the school looked onto Gosford Green. I understand St Mary's no long exists. Our GP Practice was on the corner of Swan Lane and Walsgrave Road and I went to piano lessons opposite the library - happy memories. Thanks again.

Thanks creteskyblue, I was talking to friends today who say that in the 60s the library was on the corner of Links Road.

Talking about libraries, as a young kid I well remember the wooden book in the adult section, you had to ask for it from the counter, never did find out what it was called.

What on earth was that used for?

Thank you for the picture. But if Holbrooks Library is now next to the new Tesco, does that mean people need a car in order to get to it?

Could he have used the Coundon Library? It's a wooden building on the road that connects the Radford Road and Holyhead Road.