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
General information
TypeLibrary
Architectural styleModern Movement
LocationSwansea University
Town or citySwansea
CountryWales Wales
Coordinates51.610422°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
The 1937 Library Reading Room
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

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

Swansea University Foundation Stone
Plaque Opening of 1937 Library at Swansea University
Plaque opening of Law Library at 1937 Library Swansea University

References
  1. "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
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