Yeovil's Virtual Museum

king george street library

King George Street

 

For several years the Victoria Temperance Hall, on the corner of Union Street at its junction with South Street, was the town's library. It was opened in 1920 by Miss KM Chaffey, with the initial costs being made by public subscriptions. Miss Chaffey had started the "Everybody's Library" in Yeovil in 1891. The library moved in 1928 when the new purpose-built library opened in King George Street.

King George Street, named after George V, was constructed between High Street and South Street, in the early 1920's. Initially only municipal offices were constructed along the western side of the new King George Street, the foundation stone was laid on 19 July 1926 and the offices and library opened in 1928. The municipal offices were designed and built by local architects Petter and Warren.

A municipal museum was created above the Borough Library at the southern end of the new municipal buildings, chiefly in order to display the Roman finds from the Westland Roman Villa site, including the mosaic floor. The library was replaced by today's new, purpose-built building in 1986 on the southeast corner of King George Street.

 

 

The old library in the King George Street municipal offices.

 

Courtesy of Colin Haine

The 'shed' in the car park behind the municipal buildings of King George Street. At the end closest to the photographer was the children's library and at the far end, next to Borough Arcade, was my office for several years in the 1980s. 

 

Courtesy of Rob Baker

Photographed in 1985, the site at the rear of the boarded-up municipal offices is cleared ready for construction of the new library. Note that the wooden 'shed', South Street end of which held the children's library, had been removed by this time.

 

Courtesy of Rob Baker

The former council staff car park is screened off, while a digger starts ground works at left. Photographed in 1985.

 

Courtesy of Rob Baker

The steel frame for the new building is erected. Photographed in 1985.

 

Courtesy of Rob Baker

The steel frame of the new library on the corner of King George Street and South Street takes shape. Photographed in 1985.

 

Courtesy of Rob Baker

The steel frame viewed from South Street. Photographed in 1985.

 

Courtesy of Rob Baker

... and seen from Petters Way car park. Photographed in 1985.

 

 

The new library takes shape on the corner of King George Street and South Street in 1988.

 

The library photographed in 2016.

 

This photograph features in my book "Yeovil In 50 Buildings"

The main entrance in the King George Street elevation of the new library. Photographed in 2017.

 

... and the elevation facing Petters Way car park. Photographed in 2017.