'End of an era' as library leaves 120-year home

Staff and readers have described the moving of a library service from a landmark building after 121 years as "the end of an era".

The library, based in the Carnegie Building in King's Lynn, is due to close on Saturday, having been sold by Norfolk County Council to arts organisation The Garage.

A new multimillion-pound library based across three floors is due to open in the town next month.

Librarian Mary Grogan said it was the right time to move, but added: "The change is hard for some as this library has a special place in all our hearts.

"There's something quite magical, and for me, the opening of the heavy doors in the morning, it put your key into your kingdom."

The new library, based in the old Argos store on New Conduit Street, will open in March, costing £2m more than planned.

The sale was the subject of a legal challenge after complaints that the process was unfair.

The Carnegie Building on London Road is one of more than 2,500 public libraries built between 1883 and 1929, with funding donated by the Scottish-American businessman and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie.

The tower was used as a lookout during World War One when the town came under attack from German Zeppelins. The building is Grade II-listed and has a distinctive entrance with grand wooden doors.

Kerry Murray, head of library operations for West Norfolk, started her career there and said the building held huge sentimental value.

But she agreed a more modern facility was needed.

"It's a lovely building, unfortunately not fit for purpose now," she said.

"We need to expand and there's so much more we can offer the community, which is what we'll be able to do in our new library."

The new site has dedicated areas for children and young people, and a business library.

There is also space for the town's historical documents to be stored and displayed.

Local library user Janet Cook said when she heard about the closure, she thought it was "a shame".

"We do need more room," she said.

"With the new library I'm not very fussed on the front, I don't like the colour of the tiles."

Another user, Edith Reeves, said she had been coming to the old library in the Carnegie Building for more than 70 years.

She said people need to get used to the change.

"I think the new one is lovely," she said.

"When people complain, oh, it's a carbuncle on the face of the town. What a load of rubbish. We'll get used to it. People will get used to it."

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