The library was founded by William Gladstone in1895 it is Britain`s only Prime Ministerial Library, and the building was designed by John Douglas. Gladstone was eager to share his personal library with others, especially the poor. 1895 at the age of 85 Gladstone his daughters and valet, wheeled 32,000 books three quarters of a mile from his home Hawarden Castle to the library. It became residential in 1906 it now has 26 rooms and has 250,000 books. It is dedicated to dialogue, debate and leaning for open -minded individuals,