Wolverhampton Public Library

The Central Public Library on Garrick Street was completed in 1900-1902 to the designs of H.T.Hare. It was erected to celebrate Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee but she was dead before it was completed.
Funds were raised by the Mayor, Alderman S Craddock, and by a grant of £1,000 from Andrew Carnegie. The design was chosen in 1898, through limited competition confined to twelve selected architects. Hare’s original plan has two rectangular spaces for the principal rooms and a triangular space between them for circulation, administration and offices. He conformed to the brief in every detail save one - his plan, when assessed for cost, was considerably more expensive than had been stipulated. Nevertheless, the design was so good, that additional funds were raised.

The Grade II listed building is a mixture of styles with Art Nouveau vying with the Classical. This upper section to the left of the main entrance shows off the buff terracotta decoration and some of the Art Nouveau features.