Old fashioned philanthropy...

...to enrich the cultural life of all...
Sadly, I think the library is one of the victims of the recent cuts...

The original library and town hall was purchased in 1913 by the people of Penistone, through public subscription and with the help of the Scottish/American philanthropist Andrew Carnegie, who matched the funding with his own. Andrew Carnegie can be credited with raising literacy levels throughout the UK and the USA, with the consequent advantages to the prosperity of our countries.