The History of Stanley Library

The very first library at Stanley came into existence at the Stanley Parish Institute on Aberford Road. It was founded in 1897 as a venue for paying members (mostly local miners) for recreation. As well as a library, there was space for card games, darts and snooker. The Institute, with its library, closed during the Second World War and is now the ‘Preservation Hall’ (shown on the left).

During the 1920s libraries began to be founded in schools, hospitals and other venues in small towns across Wakefield, with books supplied centrally by the Council. One such library came to Stanley in 1922 at the Modern School on Lanes End. Over the years it grew in popularity. In 1938 it was only open one hour and had 160 members, but due to increased demand within ten years it was open four hours a week with 682 members.

In the 1950s a mobile library began to visit Stanley. It would stop at Moorhouse, Lake Lock, Lime Pit and Ferry Lane. By 1958 the Modern School and Bottomboat were added to its route (WMDC, 1991, p.6). From 1942-83 residents on the western side of Stanley were able to use the Lofthouse Gate Library, until the small building was closed.

In 1990 Wakefield Council began work on a Community Centre on Lake Lock Road in Stanley, which included a public library. The site chosen was originally Lanes End Quarry until it was paved over with a car park in the 1970s. Work was done by Piper Buildings from Huddersfield and took over a year. As well as the library, they also built a Community Hall and space for the Social Services joined to the library by a hallway to the library.

The library under construction, c.1990.

The back of the library before being turfed up, c.1990.

The library in c.2000.

The library was officially opened on 22 April 1991. Many guests were invited, including local book sellers, councillors, local living library staff and representatives from local sports groups including Stanley Rangers. The Mayor of Wakefield, Mr Clarke, cut a big red ribbon; in return the Mayoress was given a lovely bunch of flowers. A plaque was unveiled and everyone had a lunch of tea, coffee, orange juice and biscuits.

The library is to the right of the main entrance. It is in a rectangular room with the help desk at the front and children’s corner to the immediate right of it. Adult books are on shelves across the rest of the building with a corner of big tables for the library’s many regular events. As well as being a source of books, the library has hosted a wide range of events for people of all ages. There is a bingo club, coffee morning and a Lego club. The library has also hosted visits from owls and hedgehogs in the past!

            Stanley has always been heavily involved with its community and has hosted a great many events on behalf of schools and other organisations. In 1993 the library did a ‘job swap’ where the St Peter’s school head teacher, a vicar and a GP assisted with running the library. In turn library staff worked at their respective premises (Wakefield Express, 1993, p.13).

Since first opening Stanley Library has changed and modernised. In 2000 public computers were rolled out to the library. 2006 saw a major reshuffling of the library that led to the children’s area being expanded and young adult books introduced to the library. In 2008 the library adopted a Nintendo Wii for people to play with. More recently in 2017 Stanley Library was given a ‘Tovertafel’ interactive gaming table, which is loved by users of all ages.

 At the time of writing, there are plans to create a new and improved children’s corner for the library. They are also working on a ‘Secret Garden’ at the back of the library for the benefit of the community.

References

Books

Wakefield Metropolitan District Council (1991) Stanley Library and Community Centre Official Opening Ceremony 22 April 1991.

Photographs

Geograph (2008) Stanley Parish Institute. [online]. [Date accessed: 7 March 2024]. Available at: https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/760007

Twixt, Aire and Calder (undated) Lofthouse Gate Library. [online]. [Date accessed: 7 March 2024]. Available at: https://www.twixtaireandcalder.org.uk/image-detail/?id=11991

Twixt, Aire and Calder (1990) The Construction of Stanley Library. [online]. [Date accessed: 7 March 2024]. Available at: https://www.twixtaireandcalder.org.uk/image-detail/?id=2846

Twixt, Aire and Calder (1990) Rear view of the community centre and library on Lake Lock Road, Stanley. [online]. [Date accessed: 7 March 2024]. Available at: https://www.twixtaireandcalder.org.uk/image-detail/?id=3386

Twixt, Aire and Calder (1990s) Stanley community centre and library on Lake Lock Road, Stanley. [online]. [Date accessed: 7 March 2024]. Available at: https://www.twixtaireandcalder.org.uk/image-detail/?id=3184

Twixt, Aire and Calder (1991) The Opening of Stanley Community Centre and Library. [online]. [Date accessed: 7 March 2024]. Available at: https://www.twixtaireandcalder.org.uk/image-detail/?id=2561

Newspapers

Anon (1993) ‘Vicar in Library Job Swap’. Wakefield Express. November 12. p.13.

Anon (2002) ‘Hogging the Limelight’. Wakefield Express. 30 August. no pagination.