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A Free Library for Ilkley

At the end of the 19th century Ilkley had become a fashionable and affluent town with a population of over 7,500. It was also a thriving spa resort attracting visitors from far and wide. However, despite the rapid growth of Ilkley in the 19th century, there was no free Public Library or municipal assembly hall. Throughout the 1890's there was an increasing awareness of the need for public buildings to reflect Ilkley's status. At this time the Town Hall occupied modest premises at the end of The Grove. In April a meeting of 'influential gentlemen' was held at which it was decided to form a company called the Ilkley Town Hall Company Ltd. As time elapsed, however, the scheme failed to make progress and was abandoned.

1890s

A library and reading room in a large building at the foot of Wells Road was available for use by subscribers. The two reading rooms housed over 5,000 books in addition to the daily newspapers,and a number of periodicals.

(from Shuttleworth's Guide to Ilkley)

'The circulating library in Wells Road is provided with a goodly supply of books; but better and larger premises are required before this establishment will receive the support which it undoubtedly merits' reported the Ilkley Guide in the 1890's.

Interior view of the library in the late 1890's

Another library service was offered by John Shuttleworth who offered a 'Circulating Library' from his premises at Gothic House.

1891

In the latter half of 1891 the scheme for the building of municipal buildings was revived with a site on Wells Road (on land later occupied by the Christian Science Church). Ambitious plans for building Local Board offices, a museum, school of art, Freemasons lodge, telephone exchange, public offices and three shops with cellars together with a large public hall fitted with a stage and capable of accommodating 750 people were amongst those proposed. The proposals never got beyond the talking stage. The artist's impression on the left shows a design for the proposed development.

1892

The Rev. Robert Collyer opened the first museum in Skipton Rd at the bottom of Bolton Bridge Road. The museum was taken over by the Urban District Council in 1896, and transferred in 1908 to the Public Library premises. The museum had once been the Wesleyan Chapel where Robert Collyer had attended as a boy.

1894

The Local Board was replaced by the Urban District Council.

The present site of the library and municipal buildings on Station Road came up for auction. The land was occupied by a dilapidated farmhouse known as Sedbergh House and grounds. It was the site of the former Bollings Farm, the home of the Ilkley branch of the ancient Bradford family. The farm together with land from the Holmes by the river, was purchased for £7,800 by Mr J. T. Jackson, a wealthy resident of Pool-in-Wharfedale who became involved in Ilkley politics. The site comprised an area of 4,180 square yards.

July 1896

Part of the Sedbergh House and its gardens which made way for the Public Library and Town Hall Scheme at the beginning of the century. The sale notice reads:
'This land to be sold in building lots. J. T. Jackson, Elmleigh, Ilkley.'

Tower Buildings and Sedbergh House. The tower of Tower Buildings is also now pulled down and replaced by flats.

Sept 1896

At an inquiry, the Council presented its case for borrowing £6,270 to buy Sedbergh House from Mr Jackson and other amounts for gas, sewage and Spence's Gardens. Many people opposed the proposal. There was evident fear that this was going to add to the rates, a point of view that the inspector conducting the inquiry said he could not take into account. It was also argued that there was a larger, much better and cheaper area of land for sale with a frontage to Wells Rd which could be bought for the purpose.The inspector came down on the side of the Council.

March 1897

After negotiations with Mr Jackson, the Council agreed to purchase the Sedbergh House site in for £6,270. 720 yards of the site was used for the widening of Station Road. However, after buying the site and demolishing some buildings to widen Station Rd the site become derelict and neglected. It was not long before the land was an eyesore. Immediately in front of the station it caught the eye of people who arrived by train and caused further furiously indignant protests from the rate payers. Repeated efforts were made to persuade the council into selling the site. One of their constant critics was Oswald Lister.

Booklet- 'A Little Information for the Ilkley Ratepayers by Oswald Lister'. Click on the booklet to read an extract.

1900

In 1900 the Ilkley Gazette (published by Shuttleworth) suggested that "a few daily papers and periodicals at the Museum could be provided at small cost and with no little satisfaction and pleasure to a large number of working class residents."

At this time the Council had accommodation in Parish Ghyll Rd at a much better rent than the premises on The Grove. 'The offices might be a little out of the way, but ratepayers had need to make only occasional visits so "the inconvenience in this direction is comparatively small." reported The Gazette.

1902

The Urban District Council levied the rate. This was some 5 years prior to the opening of the library, thus accumulating a respectable fund for purchasing the initial stock of books. There were further protestations from the rate payers.