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History of Paisley Central Library
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In 1808 the Paisley Philosophical Society was established with the aim of self-improvement for themselves and fellow townsmen, through the collection of books and museum artifacts. As their collections grew, so too did the need for a building to house them.
The Free Library and Museum was designed by John Honeyman, and built in 1871.
The Free Library and Museum was designed by John Honeyman, and built in 1871.
The cost to build was £6,324. The money was donated by Peter Coats, a Paisley thread manufacturer. The library was stocked with books from the collections gathered by the Paisley Philosophical Society, and by donations. Donations included the four volumes of Audubon's "Birds of America", then valued at £250, and still the most valuable item in the library's collection. Catalogues dating from this time can be viewed today in the Reference and Local Studies library.
The grand opening ceremony of the Free Library and Museum was reported in the Paisley and Renfrewshire Gazette on 15 April 1871.
Dr Allen Thomson, a guest speaker at the inauguration ceremony, said, "A great want is no doubt being supplied by the establishment of this institution, and you may look forward to the moral and intellectual elevation of the community at large..."
Once open, the library and museum were very popular, so much so that the building was soon outgrown. In 1904, a major extension was added to the building, designed by the firm of Honeyman, Keppie and Mackintosh. It cost £7,000 which was donated by James Coats, son of Peter Coats. The extension projects forward to the street, with a narrower version of the original temple front.
Dr Allen Thomson, a guest speaker at the inauguration ceremony, said, "A great want is no doubt being supplied by the establishment of this institution, and you may look forward to the moral and intellectual elevation of the community at large..."
Once open, the library and museum were very popular, so much so that the building was soon outgrown. In 1904, a major extension was added to the building, designed by the firm of Honeyman, Keppie and Mackintosh. It cost £7,000 which was donated by James Coats, son of Peter Coats. The extension projects forward to the street, with a narrower version of the original temple front.
The original drawings for this extension by Honeyman, Keppie and Mackintosh are available to view in the library. Charles Rennie Mackintosh appears to have been involved in the design of the extension; all the external details of the original building were faithfully copied, but inside the design is more free. The Mackintosh influence can be seen in the use of recessed squares in bookcase friezes and glazed screens, in the doors with oval glass panels, and in the roof trusses.
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