Home / Arts and Entertainment / End of an Era: King's Lynn Library Moves On
End of an Era: King's Lynn Library Moves On
13 Feb
Summary
- Library service departs historic Carnegie Building after 121 years.
- New library facility opens in March 2026 for £2m over budget.
- Historic building will be sold to arts organisation, The Garage.
The Carnegie Building in King's Lynn has seen its library service depart after 121 years, a transition described by many as the end of an era. Norfolk County Council has sold the landmark building to The Garage, an arts organisation.
Librarian Mary Grogan acknowledged the emotional difficulty of the move, highlighting the building's sentimental value. She stated that while the change is hard, it is the right time to relocate.
A new library is scheduled to open in March 2026. This modern facility, located in the former Argos store on New Conduit Street, is expected to cost £2 million more than originally budgeted.
The sale of the Carnegie Building, a Grade II listed structure, faced a legal challenge due to complaints about the fairness of the process. The building, originally funded by Andrew Carnegie, also served as a lookout tower during World War One.
Library operations head Kerry Murray agreed a modern facility was necessary, noting the old building is "unfortunately not fit for purpose now." The new library promises expanded offerings and dedicated spaces for children, young people, business, and historical documents.
Some visitors expressed sadness about the closure, with one long-time user, Edith Reeves, remarking that people will need to adapt to the changes, comparing negative reactions to "a carbuncle on the face of the town."
