Enlighten Accrington – AR Walking Trail

Location 3 - Library

The building, built and designed by the Borough Engineer William Newton, was opened on 18 January 1908 by Alderman T. E. Higham. The design incorporates features which are standard in a Carnegie library, such as the raised entrance, the steps symbolising the reader’s spiritual elevation.

Accrington Library is a Carnegie library. A Carnegie library is a library built with money donated by Scottish-American businessman and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie.

Scottish philanthropist Andrew Carnegie (1835-1919) who emigrated to America in 1848, made millions through his iron works. Much of this wealth was spent on providing free libraries and educational and charitable institutions.

A total of 2,509 Carnegie libraries were built between 1883 and 1929 thanks to his fund.