foreverton
In 2026, literacy rates have suffered due to the pandemic and other factors, and Breck Road Library has closed, therefore the original part=function of Everton Library is coming back into focus, not least with a very positive multi-functional Library Strategy now published by Liverpool City Council.
Providing a quiet space to read within the building and access to resources will be important. Interestingly, Thomas Shelmerdine designed the upper rooms of Everton Library to be acoustically separate from the Reading Spaces.
A piece of work on the demand for incubator and studio space in the area showed real need and should be updated now.
Everton Library Trust will also be researching in more detail the training provision and how it can meet local needs, such as vocational skills in wood panelling, ironmongery, financial literacy, roofing, pointing etc…
The vision of the OPEN Campaign for the use of the building was described in 2021 as:
These are the stages required for any large capital development.
The Liverpool City Council investment will progress the stages with a full set of invasive surveys and an environmental clean to enable access to the building, to the best of our understanding.
Everton Library Trust is aiming to raise funds to progress the concept designs which have already been consulted upon and to work in partnership to progress the scheme to restoration phase.
design ideas
Dezeen teamed up with Bentley to run a global design competition seeking 'bold architectural proposals to modernise historic buildings while preserving their heritage'. Harrison Stringfellow put together some text, images and a short video here for the competition and to get the conversation going again.
