Built in 1937 – very much in the civic style of the day, an inter-war classical moderne utilitarian low-rise in brick, steel, stone and concrete.
A three level, level headed essay in resolute local pride, when Droyslden was an independent UDC, prior to the creation of Tameside.
Furnished in the finest manner.
Computerised and digitised – the first library in Tameside to go live.
Droylsden Library Carnival entry – first prize winner in its category.
Closed on March 17th it now faces demolition.
Archive photos Tameside Image Archive
The rising cost of repairs, combined with ‘a desire to progress’ with the regeneration of Droylsden town centre and the inaccessibility of the library’s T shape, three-floor configuration means that a ‘solution for the future of the library’ is now needed, according to the town hall.
Of note are its curved cantilevered concrete balconies, complete with attractive steel balustrades.
Along with its carved relief above the door.
Decorative grille.
Commemorative Communist plaque
Drainpipes
Architectural Type.
And handrail.
I sure will miss the Library – I have walked cycled and bused by for over fifty years.
You are to be replaced by housing and relocated to the new development next door.
modernmooch.com 
How very sad. I hope they salvage some of the interesting details like the key stone.
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Let’s hope so
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What’s to happen to the Harry Pollitt plaque? Emblazoned in the facade of the new library I hope.
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I’d like to think so Barrie
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What a wonderful building, with some beautiful detail, from a time when there was civic pride, totally absent and unfashionable now.
I hope that some details such as the relief and the grille can be saved.
It’s extraordinary that it’s not respected enough to be maintained and kept. I wonder what architectural merit the replacement will have and if it will be treasured eighty or ninety years from now.
What was the relevance of Mr Pollitt here, please? Does anyone know?
Thanks
Sent from my Huawei phone
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Harry Pollitt was born locally and the plaque placed on a prominent public building – the library, Tameside is proud of its radical tradition.
https://www.tameside.gov.uk/blueplaque/harrypollitt
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Other areas would give there “eye” teeth and be proud to have built and offered it to the local population , typical lack of care , not to every ones taste i saw it last year from the canal and thought it interesting , so thanks Steve
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This was my very first Library – the first of many. I was enrolled as a member as soon as I was eligible, at the age of 4 or 5. It would have been 1951 or 1952. I can remember the first book I borrowed, and how exciting it was. A large part of my identity was shaped in libraries like this one. I hope the new one serves the community just as well. We need them now as much as ever.
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I’ve actually set up a petition to stop the librar ybeing demolished!! pelase sign and share – https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/stop-the-demolition-of-droylsden-library-planned-for-this-month
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Will do – thanks for the tip and your campaign.
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I grew up in Droylsden and the library was one of the few places my parents were happy to let me visit alone. I remember the tap of shoes on the green polished floor, the big leather armchairs you could curl up and read in and the kindly staff of the 1960s and 70s, who left me to my own devices. I thought the furniture, decor and especially the balconies were the last word in style. So sad that the council have played their usual hand of letting a great building go to seed so they can declare it unfit for purpose, demolish it and sell it to housing developers. It should have been cherished. Goodbye lovely Droylsden Library.
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