Hyde Photographic History

Hyde Library in the 1950s

Hyde adopted the Public Libraries Act in 1893, but at first used a room in the Mechanics Institute.

The present building was opened in 1897 and the children's library (shown above in the 1950s) in 1931.

In the 1950s the Library was recovering from a period of wartime neglect when it had been used as a first aid post.

In 1946 the book fund was improved and the building was completely redecorated, the children's library and reference library were reopened.

In 1947-1947, 178,290 books issues were recorded.