Central Library, Cardiff

Central Library, located at the heart of Cardiff, stands as a pivotal institution in the city’s cultural and educational landscape. Established as the main library of Cardiff, it operates six days a week and has evolved through various incarnations since its original establishment in 1861 as the Cardiff Free Library. This initial library was a pioneering public library service in Wales, funded by voluntary subscriptions and facilitated by the Public Libraries Act of 1855.

The library’s historic journey includes a relocation in 1864 to larger premises within a now-demolished YMCA building on Saint Mary Street, where it expanded to include a School of Science and Art and a small museum, thus being named the Cardiff Free Library, Museum and Schools for Science and Art.

The modern facility, opened in 2009 and situated on The Hayes, was designed by the architectural firm BDP. This iconic building features a triangular footprint, occupying a site formerly part of a Marriott Hotel car park. It is strategically placed opposite the Saint David's 2 development and includes 2,000 square meters of glass and 3 kilometers of book shelving. The construction involved 1,200 workers over 98 weeks, and it incorporates 16,000 square meters of restaurant space on the ground floor.

Marked by a plaque unveiled by the Manic Street Preachers bearing the lyrics "libraries gave us power," the library offers 90,000 books, 10,000 in Welsh, and an extensive collection of CDs and DVDs. The building is noted for its sustainable design, featuring a sedum grass roof, solar shading, and a Building Management System that provides climate control across its six floors, earning it a BREEAM rating of 'excellent'. Its exterior is highlighted by a brass cladding that mimics the appearance of leather-bound books.

The Cardiff Central Library Hub remains a modern beacon of knowledge, culture, and community support, reinforcing the enduring importance of libraries in urban settings.