There is a reference in
http://www.r-alston.co.uk/circndx.htm
to an Audenshaw Circulating Library in 1788
AUDENSHAW Lancashire England 1788
Our Local History Society has not been able to get any more information about this library or from where the web site obtained the reference. It is interesting that Audenshaw people were borrowing books some 250 years ago, but then Tameside did not exist.
Good records exist of a borrowing library at Red Hall Sunday School in 1860, with some 700 books for children and adults to borrow. The library continued until the Sunday School moved into its new building in 1909. The library was then rendered unnecessary by the growing use of public libraries. The books were sold off.
As regards to public libraries, the story can be traced back to 1913. The 1892 Public Libraries Act allowed all urban local authorities to run libraries, but they could please themselves. Audenshaw ‘adopted’ the Act in 1913, but instead of starting a library they made an agreement with the Ashton-under-Lyne council that Audenshaw residents be allowed to use Ashton’s libraries. This agreement lasted until 1926 when the Audenshaw Council surrendered its library powers to Lancashire County Council under the terms of the 1919 Public Libraries Act. Incidentally it was the first Urban District in the country to do such a thing.
Lancashire County Council wasted no time in setting up a library service for Audenshaw’s residents. A County Branch library was opened in the Y.M.C.A. premises on Denton Road in 1926. These premises were used until the purpose built Denton Road branch was constructed at the end of the Thirties.
http://www.r-
to an Audenshaw Circulating Library in 1788
AUDENSHAW Lancashire England 1788
Our Local History Society has not been able to get any more information about this library or from where the web site obtained the reference. It is interesting that Audenshaw people were borrowing books some 250 years ago, but then Tameside did not exist.
Good records exist of a borrowing library at Red Hall Sunday School in 1860, with some 700 books for children and adults to borrow. The library continued until the Sunday School moved into its new building in 1909. The library was then rendered unnecessary by the growing use of public libraries. The books were sold off.
As regards to public libraries, the story can be traced back to 1913. The 1892 Public Libraries Act allowed all urban local authorities to run libraries, but they could please themselves. Audenshaw ‘adopted’ the Act in 1913, but instead of starting a library they made an agreement with the Ashton-
Lancashire County Council wasted no time in setting up a library service for Audenshaw’s residents. A County Branch library was opened in the Y.M.C.A. premises on Denton Road in 1926. These premises were used until the purpose built Denton Road branch was constructed at the end of the Thirties.
