Libraries in Cardiff

In 1861, a free library was set up by voluntary subscription above the St Mary Street entrance to the Royal Arcade in Cardiff.[2] By 1862, the Public Libraries Act of 1855 allowed local councils with 5,000 inhabitants or more to raise a rate of one penny in the pound to provide a public library. Cardiff was the first town in Wales to establish a public library.[3]

Two years later in 1864, the library had moved to bigger premises in the now demolished YMCA building, in St Mary Street. A School of Science and Art and a small museum was also added,[4] and so it became known as the Cardiff Free Library, Museum and Schools for Science and Art.[5]

The Old Library 1882 to 1988

The Old Library is located at the northern end of The Hayes. Declared a public holiday ,[6] it was opened on 31 May 1882 by the Lord Mayor of Cardiff, Alfred Thomas as the Cardiff Free Library, Museum and Schools for Science and Art, which included an art gallery.[7][8] A competition was held to choose a design for the Cardiff Free Library, Museum and Schools for Science and Art. The winning design was by architects James, Seward and Thomas, erected for just over £9,000.[5] The Schools of Science and Art were housed in the building until 1890 when it moved to buildings that were part of the University College.[9]

The Central Library was moved to a new building located on St David's Link (Frederick Street). The building was officially opened on 3 December 1988,[10] and occupied the upper storeys of the commercial complex, which were accessed via a polygonal vestibule at street level.[11]

The building was demolished in late 2006 together with the surrounding retail units to make way for the extension to St. David's Centre.[12]

During the construction of the new building, library services were moved to temporary facilities on John Street which were officially opened on 1 September 2006.[12] Consisting of two separate buildings adjoining the Welsh National Opera, the front overlooking Bute Street, featured 6 metres (20 ft) tall hoardings illustrating the spines of a number of books identified as those most commonly borrowed from the library.[12]

Cardiff Central is the most used library in Cardiff. Penylan is the most used branch library in the city, whereas Rumney is the least used, according to 2018-19 usage statistics.[13]

The city's 20 branch libraries and mobile library were visited more than 2.6 million times (3.4 including virtual visits) in 2018/19 and almost 1.4 million items were borrowed. In 2018/19 Cardiff had more than 9,400 visits to the library per 1,000 of the population. Cardiff Central Library received 638,189 visits in 2018/19, with 380,213 items borrowed.

Across Cardiff libraries, crime and romance are the most popular books, with James Patterson, Danielle Steel and Alexander McCall Smith among the most borrowed. More than half of the most borrowed books are aimed at youngsters. Cardiff-born Roald Dahl, Gruffalo author Julia Donaldson, Jacqueline Wilson, Terry Deary, creator of the Horrid History series, and Enid Blyton are among those most likely to be borrowed by children and young teenagers.[14]

The city's libraries have an important catalogue, with more than 1.6 million items in 2018/19, including 823,168 adult fiction books, 525,810 children's fiction books and 18,207 audio-visual items.

Improvements to the library network have been done during the past years, renovating most of the libraries into the new hubs and community centres.[1]

Internet access on public computers and free WiFi are offered free of charge at all branches. Different events take place at the libraries all over the year. Cardiff Hubs & Libraries service is free for all to join with 99% of households within Cardiff being within a 2 mile radius of a Hub/Library. Provision is also offered through a mobile library service, housebound and Prison Library service. The service actively works to remove barriers to membership for the diverse communities of Cardiff and beyond. Resources are provided in 25 languages including Welsh, European and Community Languages. A range of accessible formats are also provided including Large Print, audio books, Braille and eBooks. During 18/19 an accessible navigation app was launched in collaboration with UCAN Go at Central Library Hub to aid those with visual impairments, mental health issues and those living with dementia to plan and take full advantage of the service available. Staff have undertaken relevant training e.g. dementia friends, British Sign Language and autism awareness. Tablets are available at all Hubs and Libraries which facilitates access for deaf customers to a sign video app and enables direct communication to interpreters.[15]

Canton Library

Canton Library (Welsh: Llyfrgell Treganna) is situated on the busy Cowbridge Road East, near the Chapter Arts Centre in Canton, in the west of the city.

The branch is a Carnergie Library, and one of the busiest libraries in the city. In 2013 was re-opened after a full refurbishment.[21]

Storytimes, craft activities and an adult reading group are available at the branch.[22]

Cathays Library

Cathays Branch and Heritage Library (Welsh: Llyfgell Cangen a Threftadaeth Cathays) is a Carnegie building opened in 1907 and is prominently situated on a busy junction in Cathays, in the north of the city, next to Cathays Cemetery. The library is a Grade 2 Listed building and contains notable architectural features.[23] The library serves a largely student and young family population.

The library reopened on 26 July 2010 after a £1 million refurbishment, of which £300,000 was funded by the Welsh Assembly Government.[24] The work saw the western wing by Whitchurch Road brought back into use, the roof replaced and improvements to the outside area. Local Liberal Democrat councillors aim to see a community room included as part of the plans for the building.[25][26]

A language and play storytime sessions, as well as local councillors' surgeries are held in the library. There are 15 public PCs and a WiFi network with free Internet access available.

Old Ely Library building (demolished in 2015)

Ely and Caerau Community Hub (Welsh: Hyb Cymunedol Trelái a Chaerau) was situated at the junction of Cowbridge Road West and Grand Avenue, in Ely, serving a large area in the south west of Cardiff. Ely Library underwent development in 2014, moving into the Jasmine Centre on Cowbridge Road. The library, like others in the Cardiff area became a 'Hub' joining with other council services in one building. In May 2015 the pre-existing 1986 library (housed in a building designed by staff and students of the Welsh School of Architecture) was demolished.[27]

The library's range includes a range of fiction, non-fiction, books on CD and cassette and DVDs. The children's area has a selection of board, picture and story books, children's DVDs and talking books. Newspapers for adults and children are available to read in the library. Free Internet access is available on 16 computers, two of which are child-only computers. An adult reading group which meets at Ely Library. Language and play sessions, and holiday time activities are available for children.[28]

Fairwater Library Hub

Fairwater Library Hub (Welsh: Llyfrgell a Hyb Tyllgoed) stands on an elevated position opposite Fairwater Green in the heart of Fairwater in the western part of the city.

The library was built in 1960, and for years librarians at Fairwater Library knew various submissions for refurbishments, without success until years later. A refurbishment scheme transformed the former library on Fairwater Green into a new Community Hub, opening in July, 2016.[29]

There are seven computers with free access to the Internet. Language and play sessions for pre-school children are held at the library, and a children's area is available. Local councillors hold regular surgeries at the library.[30]

Grangetown Community Hub

Grangetown Hub (Welsh: Hyb Grangetown) is located in the southern district of Grangetown.

The Hub opened in 2006 on a former car park at a cost of £750,000, incorporating a bright open area. The original Victorian library serving Grangetown dates from the 20th century and was renovated into 13 apartments after being bought by renovators after its closure in 2006, saving the building from demolition.[31]

Grangetown Hub has been praised by the Welsh Assembly Heritage Minister for its wide variety of materials in the languages of the different ethnic groups living in the area.[32]

PCs are available with free internet access in the library. There is a Citizens Advice Bureau service as well as a housing and benefit service. There is a Community Room where various groups can meet,[33] such as Grangetown Community Concern, Grangetown Historical Society and Age Concern.

Llandaff North and Gabalfa Library

Llandaff North and Gabalfa Library (Welsh: Llyfrgell Ystum Taf a Gabalfa) is situated in Gabalfa, in the north of Cardiff. It is part of the same building as Llandaff North Day Centre on Gabalfa Avenue.

The library opened in the 1970s, and had been closed from November 2007 until March 2008 for a £170,000 refurbishment which included upgrading the entrance lobby, fitting new flooring and replacing furniture and shelving.[34]

The library offers fiction, non-fiction, talking books for adults, and a separate section for children and teenagers. The latest addition is a selection of DVDs for children and teenagers. Community information, a reference section for adults, a magazine exchange, and a photocopier are all available. There are 10 PCs with full Internet access, including 2 adult only PCs and 2 child only PCs, as well as use of self-help Internet guides such as the BBC's Webwise CDRom - and books on how to access the net. Storytimes, the Book Start project and a reading group are amongst the services offered at the library.[35]

Powerhouse Library Hub (Welsh: Llyfrgell a Hyb Llanedeyrn) was situated in the Maelfa shopping centre in Llanedeyrn, in eastern Cardiff, but has now moved to a new extension on the Powerhouse.

The library has 7 PCs for public use, one of which is reserved for children and all have free Internet access. Sources of information include noticeboards, leaflets, local and national newspapers and the Internet. During term time the library holds a storytime with craft and rhymes for pre-school children. There are storytimes for older children during the school holidays.[36]

Llanishen Library Hub

Llanishen Hub (Welsh: Hyb Llanisien) is in the heart of Llanishen in northern Cardiff.

It is now located on the bottom floor of the Police Station in Llanishen Village, the police station remaining on the second floor but no longer with access to the public. It changed location from a shop front on Kimberley Terrace with enabled it to open full time as well as offer other services.

The library offers most of the services of a full-time branch - fiction, non-fiction, large print and talking books for all ages. Also available are DVDs, an inter-library loan service, a community directory containing local information, four PCs with free public Internet access, and the Bookstart Scheme offering a free book for library members under 4 years old.[37]

Llanrumney Library

Llanrumney Library and Learning Centre (Welsh: Llyfrgell Llanrhymni a Chanolfan Ddysgu) opened on 17 March 2008, replacing an older building on the same site, in Llanrumney, east Cardiff.

The learning and information centre consists of a two storey steelwork wind frame designed to remove the need for bracing bays due to the extensive glazing to the elevations. It was built at a cost of £1.3 million and has been awarded a BREEAM Rating of Good.[38]

The library offers a range of fiction, non fiction, DVDs and talking books for adults. There is a separate section of children's and teenagers' books. There are 15 new public access PCs in the ICT suite which have full internet access. Free WiFi access is also available. The new facility includes a crèche, 4 community rooms available for hire and a Bar/Servery area. Storytime for the under 5s and councillors' surgeries are held at the library frequently.[39]

Penylan Library

Penylan Library and Community Centre (Welsh: Llyfrgell a Chanolfan Gymunedol Penylan) is situated in Penylan, in eastern Cardiff

Penylan Library opened as Roath Park Library on 18 July 1956.[40] It reopened on 25 April 2009 after being closed for several months in order to refurbish and renovate the building, which cost £2 million to complete and saw additions of Extreme Interactive bikes and touch sensitive dance mats.

The library offers a range of fiction, non fiction, talking books, large print items, local newspapers and a reference section, community language books, DVDs, and free internet access on 2 children's PCs, 2 drop in PCs, and a dedicated IT suite with a further 11 PCs. Printing and photocopying facilities are also available. The community centre offers a gym with a range of interactive cardio vascular and resistance equipment, 2 Badminton courts, a playground, a Life Trail outdoor gym and rooms available for private hire/group bookings.

The interactive room links a desire to play computer games with physical fitness. Screens that are attached to bikes and set up in front of dance mats allow up to 15 people to participate in limitless activities together. The new bikes allow enthusiasts to experience cycles through New York City, or engage in races with fellow cyclists. The interactive studio is the first of its kind in Cardiff, enabling exercise and learning in an active environment.[41]

Radyr Library

Radyr Library (Welsh: Llyfrgell Radur) is a part-time library in Radyr, north west Cardiff.

There are 5 PCs providing free public Internet access. The library has a reference collection of books, maps and papers relating to the local area, most of which have been donated by the Radyr and Morganstown Local History Society. A complete set of the local newsletter, the Radyr Chain, has been bound into volumes and can be viewed at the library. The library also holds the events diary for Radyr and Morganstown and has information on local organisations and activities.

Children's activities include storytime for under 5s, rhymetimes for babies, stories and crafts sessions for older children, language and play sessions for babies and toddlers, and a readers group for children aged 8–12. The library holds events for adults including coffee mornings, readers' evenings and "Noson Goffi" for Welsh learners and speakers.[42]

Rhiwbina Library

Rhiwbina Library (Welsh: Llyfrgell Rhiwbeina) is situated in Rhiwbina, north Cardiff.

There are 4 PCs with free public Internet access, and a catalogue search PC. For children, the library organises baby and toddler sessions and pre-school storytime. The Library has two informal readers groups for adults. The Jevons Room is available for hire by community groups.[43]

Rhydypennau Library

Rhydypennau Library (Welsh: Llyfrgell Rhydypennau) is situated near Cardiff High School in Cyncoed, north Cardiff.

The library was refurbished in 2006-2007 & again in 2019. Modifications to the entrance included the installation of automatic doors and the replacement of existing ramps. Accessible facilities for disabled people were put in place.[44]

There are 4 PCs with free public Internet access and 1 PC in the children's section. Storytime for pre-school children followed by craft activities, and rhymetime for babies and toddlers are organised by the library. Evening events are organised by the Friends of Rhydypennau group.[45]

Roath Library

Roath Library (Welsh: Llyfrgell y Rhath) served the communities of Roath, Adamsdown and Splott, in south eastern Cardiff. It is a Grade II listed red brick building, ten minutes from the city centre by foot.

The library building closed in November 2014 and the service was re-located within Cardiff Royal Infirmary.

Rumney Library

Rumney Partnership Hub (Welsh: Llyfrgell Tredelerch) is located in Rumney, east Cardiff.

The library has a range of fiction, non-fiction, talking books videos, DVDs and music CDs for adults and juniors, as well as a separate section for children with books, talking books, videos and DVDs. There is also a reference and information section which includes local and national newspapers, planning applications, and local council information. Along with a selection from the Archive of Rumney and District History Society, there is a photographic history of Rumney from the late 19th century to 2000, which members of the public can access.

There are seven computer terminals with free access to the Internet and there is also one terminal in the children's area. A computer for members of the public to search the library catalogue is also available. In addition to this, the Rumney Family History Society has provided a computer that can be used specifically for genealogical research. Computer classes for the over 50s are held at the library covering topics such as Word Processing and Internet Use.

Rumney Library organises a weekly reading group, author visits, storytime for pre-school children and baby rhymetime sessions. The local Age Concern "Good Neighbours Scheme" is also run from the community room in the library. There is a small display area available to local community groups.[46]

STAR Library and Hub (Welsh: Llyfgell a Hyb STAR) is situated in the STAR Centre in Splott which serves south eastern parts of the city.

In 1894 Splott became the first area of Cardiff to receive a local branch library.[47] The old library closed in the 2000s but refurbishment began in 2015 to return it to community use.[48] Splott Library became incorporated into the refurbished STAR Centre.[49]

The library contains a children's area and an extended IT facility with full on-line services and access. The library organises a weekly reading group that is linked to a reading group in Argentina, as well as pre-school activities, half term events for school children, storytime and craft sessions, and rhymetime sessions.[50]

In January, 2018 the Duke and Duchess of Sussex visited STAR hub as part of their visit to Cardiff.[51]

St Mellons Library and Community Hub

St Mellons Hub (Welsh: Hyb Llaneirwg) is situated next to the Police Station and other community buildings of St Mellons in the east of Cardiff.

The library has 16 public PC terminals offering free access to the Internet. The library holds information on local events, clubs and societies, tourist information and local transport. Daily national and local newspapers are available to read, and a photocopying service is available. The library holds pre-school story and craft sessions, baby rhymetime sessions, and free computer sessions.[52]

Tongwynlais Library (Welsh: Llyfrgell Tongwynlais) is situated in the heart of the village of Tongwynlais in rural north west Cardiff. The library is situated near Castell Coch, a pictorial history of which is on permanent display in the building.

The building was originally opened as a tannery in the 1840s and was used as such until the late 1920s when it was taken over by the local community council and turned into a centre from where the library has been based for since the late 1980s.

Unlike most other Cardiff library, Tongwylais Library is only open one day a week. There are weekly storytime sessions for the under 5s, and visits from the local primary school. The library offers a range of fiction, large print and talking books for adults, and a special section ranging from books for babies to teenage stock. There is also a small reference and homework section.[53]

Whitchurch Library

Whitchurch Library (Welsh: Llyfrgell yr Eglwys Newydd) is situated in a busy community and shopping area of Whitchurch, north Cardiff, in the grounds of the local park.

There is an adult area away from the children's section which can be used to study any of the 20,000 stock items, reference books, newspapers or magazines. Storytime sessions, baby rhyme sessions and a book group meeting are held at the library.[54]

A memorial plaque at the library is dedicated to John Tripp, a poet who lived in the area.[55]