The Woodside Library

Woodside Free Library opened in 1894, on land gifted by the Earl of Dudley, formerly part of the Woodside Colliery. Its opening was marked by a formal procession from Dudley Town Hall, led by the Earl and Countess of Dudley and accompanied by the Worcestershire Hussars. Architecturally, the building is defined by its central entrance tower and distinctive cupola roof. Internally, the entrance hall connects to the reading room and lending library, with a staircase leading to a first-floor recreation room, once used by local clubs and for popular community dances.

At the start of its life, the library was 'closed stack', meaning visitors had to request books from the librarian, however it converted to open access in 1934. Originally operating as a closed-stack library, it transitioned to open access in 1934. Following the Second World War, Dudley’s libraries began to modernise, expanding collections, introducing paperbacks, and offering gramophone records. Refurbished in the 1970s, the library remained in use until 2008.

It was renovated in the early 1970s to brighten it up and continued in use until 2008.

At the museum, the building is set in 1963 - a period of transformation for public libraries, characterised by new formats, expanded media, and progressive approaches to children’s reading. Now standing as the tallest structure in the museum’s new town, Woodside Library begins a new chapter, shaped by the passion and memories of the community who helped to save it.

This milestone builds on our continued collaboration with the museum following the High Street opening, including projects such as the Elephant & Castle Pub, Stanton’s Music Shop of Dudley, and Marsh & Baxter pork butchers of Brierley Hill. We are honoured to contribute to the ongoing development of this nationally significant site.

The wider Forging Ahead development has been supported by a grant of over £15 million from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.