THIS architects’ impression of the main entrance to Keighley Public Library appeared in The Builder periodical in April, 1904.

The library was to officially open that August, differing slightly from the plan with additional decorative anchor motifs to the left and right of the carved open books, and three unusual stone faces below the archway.

Presumably, these were the inspiration of local master-craftsman, Alex F Smith.

Subsequently described by Nikolaus Pevsner as “a Free Baroque version of Tudor” but owing much to the contemporary arts and crafts movement, Keighley Library was designed by two young Birmingham architects, Arthur E McKewan and James A Swan – aged 30 and 27 respectively in 1901, when they were chosen out of 146 competition entrants.

Librarian Robert Summerskill Crossley moved across from the Mechanics’ Institute “for the time being”, and stayed for 42 years!

During its first year, some 14,440 volumes were borrowed 93,393 times. Fines “for undue retention of books” raised £24.4s.4d.

The illustration has been supplied by Kevin Seaton, of Shann Lane in Keighley.