LIBRARY LIFE

Gladstone's Library, Hawarden

Evan started as the in-house maintenance worker at Gladstone's Library in the lead-up to its recent reopening. As guests have returned to the Grade I listed building, he reflects on the day-to-day jobs that keep the place in good condition...

My background is working as a builder. I was looking for a different pace of life when I joined Gladstone’s.

As a builder, I’ve done lots of different things, and that’s where I’ve learned the skills I use here, including plumbing, joinery, decorating and general maintenance work. I don’t do electricity though - and we bring in outside contractors for specialised jobs.

The typical day is varied. I might be taking out sinks or putting in doors or something utterly different. There is no set routine, which is perfect for me because if I’m stuck on one job doing one thing then I get bored.

I’m conscious, when I work, of the Grade I listing. Everything we do has to be sympathetic to the building - and that includes alterations as well as repairs. That’s why our contractors are so important.

It’s a lovely place to work. I never feel disappointed driving in every day and looking at this place. It’s a nice challenge to keep it in the best condition we can.

I have always been interested in old buildings. I love seeing how they are made. They really don’t build things like this now or create commemorations to people the way Gladstone is commemorated here.

It’s also a very open building. There aren’t many hidden spaces: the attic and so on have been converted into bedrooms, so people get to see most of it when they stay here.

Then you get the ‘wow’ factor when people walk into the Reading Rooms.

So far, most of my work has been to do with getting the place ready for reopening, which meant repairing things and also moving things about, like putting a wooden door into the Annex, repainting things and so on.

Now we’re open, I’m doing more work in the gardens, but there’s always something to do inside. It’s a 100-year-old building, so it needs constant attention.

I love it, though. It would be amazing to go back 100 years and be part of the team building it because that was a time when things were done properly.