Ambitions to save and reopen Everton Library have taken a positive step forward this week as essential remedial works have begun in a bid to secure the structure.
The 125 year old Grade II listed building, dubbed the ‘jewel on the hill’, closed in 1999 and has fallen into an ever worsening state of disrepair.
Previous schemes to reopen Everton Library as an arts centre and events space have not come to fruition meaning the building has significantly deteriorated as result of rain damage and neglect over consecutive winters.
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Over the course of the last two years a new campaign, titled ‘Open’, has gained momentum and support from local stakeholders and has the aims of reopening Everton Library and converting it into a technical institute, community heritage centre and cafe.
The campaign has since been supported by Liverpool City Council, which owns the building, as £92,000 was signed off by Cabinet back in December in order to carry out essential repairs on the library.
The remedial works, carried out by heritage specialists Quadriga, will focus on weather proofing the windows and roof to ensure the building doesn’t further deteriorate before extensive redevelopment can take place.
Research by Pollyport, a community interest company part of the ‘Open’ campaign, commissioned a heritage survey which found that a total of £900,000 would be needed for a broader detailed repair of the building and to protect it from further degradation.
The campaign group admit there is a “mountain of fundraising to climb” and are therefore calling for support from a “focused group of volunteers, friends and ambassadors.”
Anyone interested can add their support this coming Saturday February 19 between 10.30am and 1pm when project leaders will be present on the green space alongside the library to answer any questions.
Speaking about the start of the remedial works to secure the building, Deputy Mayor and Everton Councillor Jane Corbett, said: “This set of works marks an important first step to protect the building for the future.
“I would love to see this beautiful old Everton Library building back open again, bringing together our history, our heritage and our collective green future; this is where these things will come together.”
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