The Couper Institute Library is a
public library
A public library is a library that is accessible by the general public and is usually funded from public sources, such as taxes. It is operated by librarians and library paraprofessionals, who are also Civil service, civil servants.
There are ...
situated in
Cathcart
Cathcart ( sco, Kithcart, gd, Coille Chart)
is an are ...
,
Glasgow
Glasgow ( ; sco, Glesca or ; gd, Glaschu ) is the most populous city in Scotland and the fourth-most populous city in the United Kingdom, as well as being the 27th largest city by population in Europe. In 2020, it had an estimated pop ...
, Scotland. The Couper Institute was originally built by architects
Campbell Douglas and
James Sellars
James Sellars (2 December 1843 – 9 October 1888) was a Scottish architect who was heavily influenced by the work of Alexander Greek Thomson.
Life
He was born in the Gorbals in Glasgow, son of James Sellars, house factor and Elizabeth Mc ...
. The library was added in 1923 by architect John Alfred Taylor Houston on the bequest of Robert Couper. The institute and its library are now are now
listed buildings, category B.
History
The library was built in 1923-24 by J A T Houston as part of building extensions to the northern side of the existing Couper Institute (built 1887) which were delayed by the
First World War
World War I (28 July 1914 11 November 1918), often abbreviated as WWI, was one of the deadliest global conflicts in history. Belligerents included much of Europe, the Russian Empire, the United States, and the Ottoman Empire, with fig ...
. The library was designed in an English Baroque style, while the earlier hall presents the Scots Renaissance tradition.
Local paper mill owner Robert Couper left 'about £8000' for a library, reading room and hall to be built on the site.
The building was listed as category B by
Historic Environment Scotland
Historic Environment Scotland (HES) ( gd, Àrainneachd Eachdraidheil Alba) is an executive non-departmental public body responsible for investigating, caring for and promoting Scotland's historic environment. HES was formed in 2015 from the me ...
in 1970.
See also
*
List of libraries in Scotland
This is a list of libraries in Scotland.
National Libraries
* National Library of Scotland, Edinburgh
Public libraries by local authority area
Aberdeen City
* Kincorth Library
* Aberdeen Central Library
* Airyhall Library
* Bridge of Do ...
References
{{Libraries in Scotland
Public libraries in Scotland
Category B listed buildings in Glasgow
Listed library buildings in Scotland
Libraries in Glasgow
1923 establishments in Scotland
Library buildings completed in 1923
Libraries established in 1924
Buildings and structures completed in 1887
1887 establishments in Scotland
Community centres in the United Kingdom