This is a photograph of the library at Manchester High School for Girls in 1899.
What to look at in the photograph of the library
The books were kept in bookcases with glass doors. This protected them from dust but it also helped to make using them feel special. On the right of the photograph is a library step for reaching books on the top shelves. The library was decorated with sculptures of famous classical people. There was also a religious picture over the fireplace. The chairs had wicker work seats and hard backs. It would not have been very comfortable sitting in the library for a long time. The library had gas lighting. You can see the pipes leading down from the ceiling through which the gas passed. Gas gave only a dim light and there were windows on only one side of the room so it must often have been quite dark in the library. The library was heated by the fireplace at the end of the room. It would not have spread its heat very far.
Tasks
Compare the library at Manchester High School for Girls with your school library in each of the following ways:
the arrangement of the furniture
the storage of the books
the chairs and tables
the decoration
the lighting
the heating
Describe what it would have felt like to work in the Manchester High School library. How would this have been different from what it is like to work in a primary school library today?