Committee and Sub-Committee minutes and reports, 1878-1970
Reports, 1875-1975
Financial records, 1883-1973
Correspondence, 1879-1979
General administration, 1855-1982
Records relating to the Library Staff Guild, 1938-1982
Accession registers and catalogues of books, 1870-1961
Publicity material, 1876-1981
Plans of libraries and library furniture, 1934-1972
Swansea Library was established by Swansea Corporation in 1870 and opened to the public 1874. A new building was planned and designed by Henry Holtom of Dewsbury in the Italian classical style. It was opened in 1887 by the former and future Prime Minister William Gladstone. The circular reference library, 86 feet (26m) in diameter, had a domed top, 25 feet (7.6m) feet high in the centre. The building was closed and sold in 2007, the library being relocated to the new Civic Centre on Oystermouth Road, Swansea.
In 1876 John Deffett Francis, an artist and younger brother of George Grant Francis, gave a collection of paintings and books to the library. The art collection was known as the John Deffett Francis collection, and was later transferred to the Glynn Vivian Art Gallery. Francis acted as honorary curator until his death in 1901.
Arranged into series by document type
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Usual copyright regulations apply.
All records received by the West Glamorgan Archive Service have been retained
Accruals are not expected.
