Historical information

Kew's first library was the Kew Literary and Scientific Society, which opened on 6 August 1860. In 1937 The library was closed for a major overhaul of stock and renovation of the building. It reopened in December 1937 and remained there for more than 35 years. The Library was situated beside the Town Hall. In 1954, Rowland Chipperfield, City Building Surveyor, designed a new library with a new Children's section and extensions to the adult library. In 1973 when the Civic Centre opened in Charles Street, Kew, the library moved in. By 1987, Kew Library had moved to its current location in the converted city hall, overlooking the Alexandra Gardens. The present library was officially opened at this site on Friday 23 October 1987.

Physical description

Colourised photograph of interior of Kew Municipal Library, Walpole Street, Kew, c.1954-1960. Shows view from inside to front entrance — glass door with “LIBRARY” and “CLOSED” sign, pot plants on windowsill, low bookcase at left with two women browsing, woman at right reading, issue desk in foreground left. Through the glass, Walpole Street, 1950s cars, and buildings on the east side of Walpole Street. These include the rendered brick commercial building at 6 Walpole Street, Kew (now demolished).