Lytham Library - 01253 736745

Lytham library was built originally as a Mechanics Institute. It included a small library of books and a reading room and opened on 30 August 1878. The building was extended in 1898 to celebrate Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee, including a new reading room, gymnasium and classrooms. The extension was opened by the Duke of Norfolk. In 1922 the library became part of the Municipal Borough of Lytham St Annes with the amalgamation of St Anne's on the Sea and Lytham Urban District Councils. In 1974 the administration of the library was taken over by Lancashire County Council. In Buildings of England Hartwell and Pevsner describe its 'Dark red and yellow and black brick dressings, including dentil sill bands and 'quoins'. Steep coped gables with jaunty finials, and lancets. Bay windows of yellow brick'.The building and opening of the LibraryThe Lytham Times of September 4, 1878 included a 2-page supplement celebrating the opening of the Institute by the Right Honourable George Cavendish Bentnick, MP. It describes a public meeting, addressed by the Bishop of Manchester, and held on 22 October 1876 which was arranged to examine the possibilities of the building of the Institute. There was an initial donation of £300 from Lady Eleanor Cecily Clifton of Lytham Hall. Numerous other donations followed including £1000 by the Misses Hewitt of Lytham. Their contribution is commemorated in the name of the Hewitt Lecture Room.The building and development of the institute was overseen by a committee chaired by the Reverend Henry Beauchamp Hawkins of St Cuthbert's Church, the parish church of Lytham, and the Lytham Times supplement details the various local firms which had worked on the project. It was designed and built by John Collinson of Lytham. Gas fittings were supplied by Mr Rainford of Lytham. Hot water apparatus was supplied by Messrs. Seward of Preston. A Mr Poulton oversaw the fitting of the library and a Captain Banister acted as clerk of works. The site had been donated by the squire, John Talbot Clifton of Lytham Hall.

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