We visited Cahuenga Carnegie in Los Angeles, on our tour of #CaliforniaCarnegies. A beautifully decorative yet functional library in an area of acute deprivation. Armenian Korean and Ukrainian languages, music, English and Spanish classes, talks and seminars all in positivity

The Santa Barbara Library, #1 of our #CaliforniaCarnegies enjoys stunning art, notable architecture and special staff - knowledfriendly to visitors. Librarian Gerard was intrigued by our stories of #IrishCarnegies and our own plans for the Carnegie Centre for Weaving in North Belfast!

The first of our #CaliforniaCarnegies is found in Santa Barbara, a fine public library with many decorative features; helpful and informative staff eager to help - and learn about their benefactor. Some lovely art too as well as archives, books and music.

#IrishCarnegies #24 Carnegie was uncertain about the huge technical school next door (I do libraries not education!). Eventually the baroque facade emerged, ionic columns, dramatic staircase, literary stained glass, a (leaky) cupola, carved wood, high windows. A pièce de résistance!

Rathmines Carnegie Library Dublin #24 in our #IrishCarnegies. 100th Anniversary brochure of heritage and architecture plus many enthusiastic users and borrowers! @fingal.ie @carnegieendowment.org

Rathmines Carnegie Library (1913) enjoys a fascinating backstory. #24 in our #IrishCarnegies started conception in 1887 when Rathmines adopted the Libraries Act, built a library. Carnegie at first declined the bid in 1902 (you’ve got one!); evidence on population growth swayed the donor.

The elegant Pembroke Carnegie Library graces South Dublin by the canal on Anglesea Road by the RDS. Embassy quarter fuels frequent use said librarian Gemma. The 1916 Defence of the Realm Act had prohibited buildings of over £500, so it took till 1925 to win relief! #23 in our #IrishCarnegies

We enjoyed the super #Dublin cycling infrastructure on our tour of #IrishCarnegies Most journeys across the fair city were 50% plus on segregated lanes!

Searching for Pearse St. Carnegie library in our bible of #IrishCarnegies we thought Brendan Grimes of UCD Archives had forgotten it! However the fault was ours - it was listed as Great Brunswick St (#22 in series) as Pearse hadn’t yet done his thing. An imposing double-fronted edifice - ‘severe’?

#21 in our #IrishCarnegies - the squat but purposeful Charleville Mall Carnegie Library (1910) beautifully located on the leafy canal, not far from O’Connell St, Connolly and Croker. ‘Respectable piece of architecture enlivened with some good brick detailing’ Grimes. Sadly ’closed for lunch’

We’ve returned to our wee series of #IrishCarnegies this time #20-24 in Dublin. Andrew Carnegie gifted 2500 libraries around the globe, 66 on the island of Ireland! #BacktoLife

Cahirciveen Carnegie Library County Kerry, one of the 66 #IrishCarnegies enjoys a chequered birth: - two architects sacked (inc Daniel O’Connell grandson of the Librrator) - a decade of delay (1902-1911) - poor governance (Ctte of over 50) Story from Brendan Grimes’s book on all on the island.

Our scout Jill visited Cahirciveen Carnegie (c1910), in Kerry, a huge small town library, dogged by controversy (more soon!). It’s under yet another reconstruction for #BacktoLife efforts. More #IrishCarnegies coming up!

Mystery guest came visiting to show support for our #BacktoLife endeavours and to share and learn - who might she be?

Yes, it’s @julieandrews2.bsky.social from the Linenhall Library with whom we share so much #Belfast heritage and #BacktoLife ambition!

The beauty of @glasgowwomen.bsky.social Library is its fabulous Carnegie building, elegant refurb and fantastic interior fizzing with people, ideas, artefacts, exhibitions and books of course! Our tour of #GlasgowCarnegies #11 is nearly over. @sghetorg.bsky.social @dennistounstyle.bsky.social

Mystery guest came visiting to show support for our #BacktoLife endeavours and to share and learn - who might she be?

We visited Templemore Baths a spectacular reconstruction by @belfastcc.bsky.social for East Side Partnership - swimming pool shell and heritage museum in east Belfast’s overdue regeneration

Heritage and weaving tour for @Arts_ekta showing support for our #BacktoLife efforts.

#11 in our #GlasgowCarnegies series The spectacular @womenslibrary by Bridgeton Cross, a Carnegie classic hidden in Landressy St. h/t @randmhousekpr.bsky.social too! www.dezeen.com/2016/04/09/c...

Line drawing of our elegant frontage

Our final conundrum in our #GlasgowCarnegies is Partick Library - is it a Carnegie or not? Built in 1925 (two decades later than others), not the full £ amount (as he usually gave) and different style. Was it because Partick Burgh wasn’t yet in @glasgowcitycouncil.bsky.social?

We visited Templemore Baths a spectacular reconstruction by @belfastcc.bsky.social for East Side Partnership - swimming pool shell and heritage museum in east Belfast’s overdue regeneration

I really like the clever modern addition of the (black) lift shaft minimising disruption to the integrity of the interior

Great to see our friends @riddelswarehouse.bsky.social open up their ground floor windows! #BacktoLife

Any researchers out there who might help with this query?

Our final conundrum in our #GlasgowCarnegies is Partick Library - is it a Carnegie or not? Built in 1925 (two decades later than others), not the full £ amount (as he usually gave) and different style. Was it because Partick Burgh wasn’t yet in @glasgowcitycouncil.bsky.social?

Line drawing of our elegant frontage

Great write-up here about the process thx to @randmhousekpr.bsky.social Well done to @collectivearch.bsky.social www.dezeen.com/2016/04/09/c...

The beauty of @glasgowwomen.bsky.social Library is its fabulous Carnegie building, elegant refurb and fantastic interior fizzing with people, ideas, artefacts, exhibitions and books of course! Our tour of #GlasgowCarnegies #11 is nearly over. @sghetorg.bsky.social @dennistounstyle.bsky.social

#11 in our #GlasgowCarnegies series The spectacular @womenslibrary by Bridgeton Cross, a Carnegie classic hidden in Landressy St. h/t @randmhousekpr.bsky.social too! www.dezeen.com/2016/04/09/c...

I love the lift shaft extension on the right - practical and effective, also elegant, minimising damage to the integrity of the interior! Who was the architect?

Our pièce de résistance is coming up soon - #11 in our #GlasgowCarnegies features the formidable @womenslibrary.bsky.social a restored Carnegie edifice of particular beauty and inspiring usage!

Our Chair Brian Cavanagh drinks his coffee dutifully @belfastcc.bsky.social Bobbin Cafe since Andrew Carnegie himself started as a Bobbin Boy in 1840s!

The fab Dani Larkin our musician-in-residence with our @quintinoliver.bsky.social at her barnstorming performance of new album ‘Next of Kin’ at @imaginebelfast.bsky.social See DaniLarkin.com

We have a special event to share! ArtsEkta is bringing Nandi Jola to reflect on her childhood memories in #SouthAfricanCarnegies 2.00 on Sunday 26 April. Free.

We went to Shercock, Cavan, in drumlin country for a Brian Friel play (Philadelphia since you ask!) for @shercock.bsky.social and then discovered it’s a weaving centre! Tabetex produce linen and woollen fashions commercially on Jacquard looms. Who knew?

We have a special event to share! ArtsEkta is bringing Nandi Jola to reflect on her childhood memories in #SouthAfricanCarnegies 2.00 on Sunday 26 April. Free.

Gardening hack from @jac-wac.bsky.social our head gardener! Spray the planters with vinegar water and the algae disappear… like magic. Great tip! #BacktoLife already.

Excited to get underway! Although looks like i'm threatening one of the planters.... Hopefully will get up to finish prep in the next few days.

We’ve got the builders in! Michael and his cherrypicker doing roof repair and maintenance. Heritage assets bring responsibilities that we’re happy to fulfil. #BacktoLife

What a day we enjoyed @imaginebelfast.bsky.social weaving bookmarks with ace tutor Drea Dickson and learning about Carnegie’s philanthropy. Thanks everyone. We’ll be #BacktoLofe soon.

Our volunteer Head Gardener @jac-wac.bsky.social and her sister start work assessing our yard, planters, fencing and sunshine needs! Good luck you two!

Our volunteer Head Gardener @jac-wac.bsky.social and her sister start work assessing our yard, planters, fencing and sunshine needs! Good luck you two!

The splendid Govanhill Carnegie library (1904) #10 in our survey of #GlasgowCarnegies a fine edifice in sandstone supporting the community. Rhind designed, Carnegie endowed, beautifully carved and domed. A beacon of enlightenment in tougher times 120 years ago - still a busy library

What a day we enjoyed @imaginebelfast.bsky.social weaving bookmarks with ace tutor Drea Dickson and learning about Carnegie’s philanthropy. Thanks everyone. We’ll be #BacktoLofe soon.

We’re open today for @imaginebelfast.bsky.social for a tour at 10.30 and weaving class!

Last chance to book for tomorrow at 10.30! Bring your children, bring your creativity.

The splendid Govanhill Carnegie library (1904) #10 in our survey of #GlasgowCarnegies a fine edifice in sandstone supporting the community. Rhind designed, Carnegie endowed, beautifully carved and domed. A beacon of enlightenment in tougher times 120 years ago - still a busy library