Records of Wantz Library

This collection comprises the record of Wantz Library, including building plans and inventories (1956-1993), a staff manuel (circa. 1976), adult issue books (1966-1995), junior issue books (1996-2001), a junior stock figures book (1976-1995), a junior homework book (1992-1998) and photographs of events (1987-1995).

Wantz Library was originally built to provide communal kitchen for locals bombed out of their houses as part of the British Restaurant Scheme during the Second World War. It was transformed into a library at the behest of the formidable, John O’Leary, Borough Librarian in 1945. The original library was later demolished and replaced with a new building, which opened in 1976. A leaflet on the opening ceremony outlines how it was hoped the library would become a ‘centre for recreation and education to help meet the leisure needs of every age group’. Unfortunately the library was eventually closed due to a lack of funding from the coalition government in March 2012.

This material is open to research and can be viewed at the Barking and Dagenham Archive and Local Studies Centre. To make an appointment to visit the reading room, please telephone 020 8227 2033 or email at localstudies@lbbd.gov.uk.

Transferred to the Barking and Dagenham Archive and Local Studies Centre in March 2012.

Catalogued by Clare Sexton, Assistant Archivist.

For further information about the contents of this collection, please contact the Barking and Dagenham Archive and Local Studies Centre by telephone 020 8227 2033 or email at localstudies@lbbd.gov.uk.

For further information about our reprographics and publication charges, please visit our website http://www.lbbd.gov.uk/MuseumsAndHeritage/BoroughArchivesandLocalStudies/Pages/Copyingandreproductionservices.aspx

A substantial amount of material, which was deemed to be of no historical importance has been removed, including staff time books, sale books, daily cash summery books and postage books.