Ilkeston Library 1900s
The library, which we run, was opened on 24 August 1904 by the Duke of Rutland with crowds filling the Market Place to see it open its doors for the first time.
A range of events to celebrate the 120th anniversary of the library have been planned by staff with the flagship event being the Anniversary Heritage Day on Friday 23 August from 10am to 2pm.
People are invited to drop in to the free Heritage Day event any time between 10am and 2pm and there will be an official cake-cutting at 10.30am by our Civic Chairman Councillor Tony Kemp and Cabinet Support Member for Strategic Leadership, Culture, Tourism and Climate Change Councillor Susan Hobson.
A library for Ilkeston was first suggested in 1879, but it was a gift from Scottish-American businessman and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie that saw it become a reality.
A stone panel above the library entrance reads ‘Carnegie Free Library’, and back in 1904 readers selected their books from lists, with shelves for browsing being introduced in 1922.
During the Heritage Day people will be able to visit the local studies area in the library, meet local historians and librarians and ask questions they have about local history.
They will also be able to find out more about the library’s history on several display boards as well as booking a free computer help session.
There will be free tea and coffee during the event and people will be able to have free blood pressure checks during their visit by a team from our Live Life Better Derbyshire team.
Free Ancestry taster sessions and backroom tours of the library will also be available, but these must be booked by either phoning the library on 01629 533275 or emailing Ilkeston.library@derbyshire.gov.uk.
Council Leader and Cabinet Member for Strategic Leadership, Culture, Tourism and Climate Change Councillor Barry Lewis said:
“Ilkeston Library is one of the oldest libraries in Derbyshire and we’re tremendously proud of its history and all it has to offer for the local community it serves.
“Like all our libraries, while there’s a huge range of books covering all interests, there’s also a lot more going on, from computer help sessions and meetings of local groups, space to work and research, an excellent local studies area rich with resources for all to use and access to thousands of free newspapers and magazines.
“We’re very excited to be celebrating 120 years of our Ilkeston Library and are looking forward to welcoming people to come and mark the anniversary with us.”
As well as the Heritage Day, there are also a number of other events to mark the anniversary.