Partner Museums
Westerkirk Parish Library
Westerkirk Parish Library
- Description:
-
The Library was founded in 1793 for and by the workers at an antimony mine in Westerkirk. It moved to the village school when the mine closed in 1799-1800, and expanded rapidly after a bequest from Thomas Telford, civil engineer, born in Westerkirk, on his death in 1834. The Library moved again in 1840 when a new village school was built but ran out of space and a new, separate library building was needed. Designed by architect J. Habershon of London, the building was completed in 1863 at a cost of just over £600 and remains the home of the Library today.
The Library has some 8,000 books, ranging in age from the middle of the 18th century to the present day. Until about 1920 all books were bound in leather before being taken into library stock. A project started in 1992 and completed in 1997 restored the building and book stock.
- Opening Hours:
- There is no membership as such. The borrowing of books is restricted to persons living in the parish of Westerkirk and the adjoining parishes of Hutton and Corrie, Eskdalemuir, Ewes and Langholm; from 19.00-20.00 hours on the first Monday of each month. It is also open on certain Sundays during the summer months and can be opened by arrangement.
- Admission:
- Free
- Address:
- Westerkirk Parish Library, Bentpath, Langholm, Dumfriesshire DG13 0PB
- Tel:
- 013873 70201 - Mrs M Sanderson, Chairman of the Trustees
