The Old Library, 11 Victoria Street
“Have a look down Victoria Street and you’ll see me. A very elegant building, aren’t I? Quite grand for a pub…But I was built as St Albans first free public library. You’ll see my name above the door.
I was opened in October 1911. Much of the cost of the building was met by Andrew Carnegie, who was one of the richest men in the world. His family were very poor Scottish weavers, who migrated to America in 1848 when Andrew was only 12.
Mr Carnegie made his money from steel, but in 1901 he decided to give nearly all his fortune away to support public education.I was opened by Mr Carnegie together with the American Ambassador. There was a big celebration in the centre of town. On the same day he was given the Freedom of the City of St Albans. You can still see my large stained glass window, marking his generosity.
I closed in 1988, and people were sad to see me go, but do drop in, enjoy a beer, and say ‘thank you’ to Mr Carnegie.”
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