The purpose-built premises was constructed adjacent to the Pilkingtons glassworks and the stretch of the St Helens Canal known as the "Hotties".

[8] Following the restoration, Pilkingtons floated the idea of utilising now redundant adjacent factory space (known locally as "The Hotties") as a museum for its historic glass collection.

The second tells the story of the growth of the town of St Helens as it moved from relative insignificance to become a world leader in glassmaking.

[16]Since 2008 the World of Glass has been home to one of four chandeliers, restored by David Malik & Son, which originally hung in the main hall of Manchester Airport.

Occupying space on both the ground floor and mezzanine level, the lending library is for both children and adults, complete with more than 18,000 books.