Marks One and Two
The original library and town hall was purchased by the people of Penistone through public subscription with the help of Andrew Carnegie who mathced the funding with his own. Penistone library started off in the top half of the town hall building on Shrewsbury road in what is now a council office but moved to its present location in the 1970s. For some years afterwards a small 'reading room' (newspapers) remained at the Town Hall site. Then it moved around the back of the building and finally disappeared. See history page for more information.
Mark Three - The Refurb
The recently refurbished library re-opened Feb. 2007, making it the 'Mark Three' version. Jill kindly gave me a grand tour of the new facilities. Everything has changed around and the reception desk is now at the far end. Originally it was near the door but was breezy every time the door opened.
The library has DVDs, CDs, public information leaflets, bus timetables and a good collection of books. PCs have internet access and word processing. (Press 'Control' + 'D' to bookmark this website). Council minutes can also be found in the library on request. It looks empty in these pictures but there were a few people about. It's just that I waited for them to move out of view.
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The big old austere tables were replaced by smaller round ones, giving a more relaxed 'cafe' feel and the seating is much more comfortable. In addition to modern fittings, computers and a spacious feel in the main area, the children's area has been much expanded with cuddly toys. From a far door, there is a corridor leading to a large computer room with data projector for tutorial work and, further on, a meeting room with large table. A busy programme of events makes good use of the facilities. The library is a good place to escape to for a change of scenery or routine. It's fair to say that silence does not rule, however.
Penistone Book Club
A minute or two of this club appeared in a recent BBC4 tv programme. The context was an informal literate panel game with a section where panelists had to guess which book the club was analysing. Being a largely humorous programme, I expected jokes about either the name Penistone or the northern accents of the club, but no, the panelists behaved themselves.
Local History
I believe that it is an important role for library to preserve a reference section for local history, as it is a very important source for the researcher or the interested reader.
I have a concern that old local history materials might have been removed from the shelves and sent to Barnsley Library, to be forgotten. I suspect that they do not fit well with the image of a modern refurbished library and might be seen by some distant committee as a factor to deter prospective members. That may or may not be true, but history will often be preserved in untidy, tatty, stained, dog-eared, musty and unattractive books, handwritten notes and old leaflets.
This is a message in the guestbook from librarian Jill, received in late October 2007, which addresses the issue:
"The Dransfield Collection will stay at the library on a permanent basis, accessible on request. Other local history material is also easily accessible and is on the library catalogue . None of the items will be going to Barnsley in the future. Both collections are advertised within the library and on the various Penistone-related websites."
Information about library services.
