Residents are being asked to help Bath Central Library celebrate 30 years of opening on September 28th with a call to share their memories of the library through the decades as part of a virtual celebration.
The libraries team will be posting on social media throughout the ‘birthday’ with photos through the ages, memories of staff past and present and activities for all ages to enjoy including 30 years of books, a quiz and downloadable bookmarks.
Bath Central Library opened on September 28, 1990 at the Podium. The new building made it possible for customers to access both reference and lending materials under one roof.
During its 30 years the library has hosted numerous events and workshops, introduced public computers and free internet access. It has provided a safe, quiet place to study and do research.
The library continues to nurture and encourage children on their reading journey with story times, rhyme times and the Summer Reading Challenge.
The team would love to hear from visitors to the library, in recent years or long ago, about what the library has meant to them and their families. Photos are also welcomed.
Submissions can be emailed to library_events@bathnes.gov.uk and some will be shared on social media throughout the event.
The library is open as usual on Monday, September 28, 10am-4pm for borrowing but due to Covid-19, the 30thbirthday celebration is virtual and people can join in on the library’s Twitter account, Facebook page and Instagram page.
Paul Crossley, cabinet member for Community Services at Bath & North East Somerset Council, said: “Bath Central Library is a cornerstone of the local community in Bath that goes beyond a book-borrowing service. It’s so important for people of all ages to have access to literature – throughout the pandemic the team developed a wide range of virtual resources and activities alongside our e-books to ensure that our residents still have a library service.
“The library has always been a community space where people can come together and even now we can do this through the social media outlets, and our virtual library. I’m so pleased that the library has reached this milestone and I’d encourage anyone who has a memory or photo to share to do so without delay. We really do want to hear from you and make the celebration one to remember.”
Hilary Cox, a member of staff who has worked in the council’s library team for 40 years, said: “Back when the library opened, it was part of Avon County Council’s library service. The Reference Library had moved from Queen Square and the Lending Library from Bridge St to form this new library in The Podium. We had begun to use computers, but staff had to handle every book as it was returned or borrowed. There were often queues as all procedures and processes took longer. When I look back at all the changes compared to how we operate now, it seems like a bygone age!”
Find out more about Bath & North East Somerset Council libraries at https://beta.bathnes.gov.uk/library-and-information-services
