June 1903

Responding to an appeal made by John Dixon, the Chairman of the Public Library Committee, Andrew Carnegie offered £3,000 to erect a Free Public Library Building on condition that the the Free Public Libraries Act be adopted.

To read about the life of Andrew Carnegie
click on the photograph. (This opens in a new window.)

Aug 1903

The local government board sanctioned the use of part of the Station Road site for a library.

Nov 1903

The Urban District Council invited competitive designs for the buildings: an integrated building housing a library, Town Hall and assembly hall. The Institute of British Architects was asked to nominate one of their members to act as assessor but Council members were reported to be somewhat taken aback when the assessor indicated that his terms would be 100 guineas plus travelling expenses.

May 1904

Out of the 60 entries, the sub-committee selected the design of William Bakewell of Park Square, Leeds. The services of Mr Bakewell were retained as architect for the buildings. The cost of the integrated buildings (exclusive of site and furnishing ) was £13,000. towards which Mr. Carnegie made the grant of £3,000.

Jan 1905

A public inquiry was held into the Council's application to borrow £10,000 for the public offices in Station Rd and £2,300 for further sewage provision. The Town Hall scheme provoked considerable opposition.

On the side of the Council it was argued that ever since the Town Hall site had been purchased it had incurred an annual charge of £340 a year for interest and installment. Members of the Council failed to see why a site which was purchased some eight years previously should remain idle any longer whilst at the same time they were paying £100 a year for office accommodation on Parish Ghyll Road. They argued that a health resort of the population and importance of Ilkley was lacking a hall for theatrical events, concerts and balls and other public functions in keeping with its status as a health resort. Moreover, it was anticipated that the income would provide a substantial sum towards meeting the annual charge for interest and installment on the capital account.

The opponents foresaw further increases in the rates, they felt that the present offices of the council were large enough and that a public hall of the character proposed was quite unnecessary. Over 600 people signed a petition asking for the postponement of the erection of the public offices.

May 1905

The Ilkley Gazette devoted 4 1/2 columns to the objections from the opposition who had formed themselves into the 'Ilkley Ratepayers Committee' and the Ilkley Council's reactions to the points.

Aug 1905

A representative from the Council said it could not regard the Ratepayers Committee as anything other than a 'self-elected committee' and the initial work of preparing the site began.

June 1905

The Local Government Board sanctioned the loan, repayable in 30 years.