A majestic building stands before us. This is the Erith Old Library. It’s a Grade II listed building. Opened in 1906 it was a gift. Andrew Carnegie donated £7000. The local council matched this. They raised an additional £610 annually.
The Erith Old Library wasn’t just any library. It was a community hub. It had lending and reference libraries. There were rooms for children magazines and news. Even lecture and committee rooms existed. Imagine the bustle. The first librarian William Barton Young lived upstairs. Sadly he died in WWI.
The architect William Egerton designed it. He used local talent. Builders F Spencer & Son worked on it. So did the Thames Steam Saw Mills. Crittal Window Factory from Sidcup provided windows. The library boasted amazing features. These include stunning stained glass a mosaic and marble columns. A book lift even existed. The turquoise and white tiled toilets were something special.
The mosaic in the entrance hall is a masterpiece. It depicts Erith’s coat of arms. The words ‘Labour overcomes all things’ are inscribed there. Red pike fish adorn the mosaic. They represent the De Luci family influential Norman landowners.
The library wasn’t just about books. In 1959 a museum opened within its walls. It showcased local history. Florence Barton Young the second head librarian founded it. The museum displayed Victorian life archaeology and industrial objects. It even detailed Erith’s wartime history and the river’s importance.
Sadly the library closed in 2009. Rising maintenance costs and dwindling numbers led to its closure. The collection was moved to other places. The museum’s items went to Hall Place and the new library. But hope remained.
In 2016 local residents formed The Exchange. They had a vision. They wanted to bring the library back to life. The National Lottery Heritage Fund contributed £980000. A total of £1.8 million was invested. Today the Erith Old Library is the Erith Exchange a vibrant community centre. It offers workshops and hosts events. A unique garden now graces its grounds. This stunning building continues to serve the community. It thrives in its new role. Its legacy lives on.