Wigan Album

I loved that place when I was a child! I was never sure of the address but I know it was just past The Horseshoe pub. I used to go on my own on Saturday mornings, catching the bus from Ince, and I wanted so much to be a librarian! It was in the days when libraries had "Silence" notices on the wall which people obeyed.....no radio playing or "playgroups" of children doing "activities". As always, Keith's beautifully-understated colourisation brings it back to life to a point where I feel I could just walk in with my cardboard library tickets and browse the shelves in that peaceful, hushed atmosphere just once more.

I agree Irene it was like a second home to me. Especially if it was raining. I can picture the Counter as you went inside. Tables and chairs in the middle. I don't think I ever returned a book late because I was always ready for another. We had no television so reading and drawing was my thing. I never went upstairs though... Whether it was allowed I don’t remember. I certainly went in the grownup Library later at 14 I loved that one as well.

Veronica. I too, when I saw the photo, was wondering what was upstairs I never remember going up there. There was also a table near counter which had comics like the Eagle on it. Like you I have many happy memories of going in there , and being both very sad and excited when I was told it was time to go to the grown ups library.

My cousin and I spent almost every Saturday morning in this wonderful library. Yes it was at the bottom of Station Road.

In the 1950s I was a regular at that children's library.
I read every Just William book at least twice. Little did I know that Richmal Crompton was a woman !

My parents signed me up as soon as I was eligible in the days of Miss Ethel Gee
There were bound volumes of the Boys Own paper chained to the tableThere I learned of Greyfriars School,Billy Bunter,Ramjit Singh and other heroes

I too have happy memories of time spent in the Children's library. I joined as soon as I was seven and remember how proud I was of my library cards.It was the late 40's and money was scarce so we children had very few books of our own. These were read and re-read many times, so to go to the Library and choose from all those lovely books was a joy.
I'm still an avid reader and still a member of the Library although I really miss the lovely atmosphere of the old Rodney Street Library which, alas, although the building is still there, has gone for ever. The two buildings it has been housed in since just can't compare and computers now replace the friendly staff who came to know you. Never the less my pleasure in looking for and finding a good book to read will never change.

I loved going here when I was a child, the polished wooden floors, shelves full of adventures, I went every week. I have been upstairs and remember a massive block of coal being in there!

I too was a regular to borrow books but remember once being told in no uncertain terms to leave because I was zooming around on that wooden floor in my Roller Skates!
I am sure the upstairs was a Museum with all kinds of stuff including an old musical wind instrument called a Serpent. I think everything was transferred to Haigh Hall after the library was demolished. It was on display upstairs in the Hall for many years and now much of it is now in the Museum in Library Street, including 'The Serpent'.

Tony, I was in the Museum in Library Street yesterday and that lump of Coal is still on display, along with the ‘Keyed Serpent’ musical instrument.