Sheffield Central Library

Infobox Historic building


caption=
name=Sheffield Central Library
location_town=Sheffield
location_country=ENG
latitude=
longitude=
client=Sheffield Corporation
construction_start_date=
completion_date=1934
date_demolished=

Sheffield Central Library and Graves Art Gallery is a public library in Sheffield. It houses the city library service's single largest general lending and reference collection, as well as hosting an art gallery on the third floor, and a theatre in the basement.

Services available from the building include:

* Arts, Social Science and Sports Library
* Business, Science and Technology Library
* Central Children's Library
* Local Studies Library
* Music and Video Library
* Sheffield Information Service
* Sports Library
* World Metal Index
* Graves Art Gallery
* Library Theatre

Work on the building began in 1929, to a design by W. G. Davies. Built in a broadly art-deco style, it was opened in 1934 by the Duchess of York. Conceived as part of a plan by Patrick Abercrombie to create a civic square, it was the only element ever built and so faces onto a narrow street. In 1991, Tudor Square was constructed to one side of the library.

The building, supported by a steel frame, is faced with Portland stone and has some decorative mouldings by Alfred and William Tory.

The Graves Art Gallery was founded around a bequest from J. G. Graves and hosts a range of temporary and permanent exhibitions.

References

*Ruth Harman and John Minnis, "Sheffield" (Pevsner Architectural Guides)

External links

* [http://www.sheffield.gov.uk/in-your-area/libraries/find/central City council's description of facilities at the library]
* [http://www.made-in-sheffield.com/places/landmark.asp?PlaceName=CentralLibrary Building information from made-in-sheffield]