North Library, Manor Gardens, Islington N7, is celebrating its centenary on Wednesday 20 September with two weeks of special events - including visits from several well-known adults' and children's authors.
North Library was Islington's first public library. At the official opening on 20 September 1906, queues were so long that the police were brought in to keep order. These days the library still does an impressive trade, with around 4,000 active members.
During World War I the library transformed into an information and recruiting station for the War Office, and also into an annexe of the nearby Great Northern Central Hospital - over 2,000 men received medical and surgical treatment at the library. Nowadays, visitors come to the library for its extensive range of books, CDs, DVDs, computer games, free Internet access, reading groups and much more - including a garden to sit and read in.
Councillor George Allen, Executive Member for Customer Focus, said: "Happy Birthday to North Library, still going strong after 100 years! Last year Islington's 13 libraries had over 1.5 million visits, and we would love to show all Islington's residents the very modern range of services they provide."
Some of the famous faces popping into the library to join in the celebrations will be:
Thursday 14 September
Children's author Francesca Simon reads from her Horrid Henry series of books
4pm at North Library, Manor Gardens, Islington, N7 6JX
Free entry, no advance booking is necessary.
Tuesday 19 September
Reading and talk by Sarah Dunant, author of In the Company of the Courtesan
6.30pm at North Library, Manor Gardens, Islington, N7 6JX
Free entry, no advance booking necessary.
Saturday 23rd September
Children's author Paul Cookson reads some of his poems and talks about his favourite subject: football.
10.30 am North Library, Manor Gardens, Islington, N7 6JX
Free entry, no advance booking necessary.
Tuesday 26 September
Children's author Richard Hamilton reads from his latest book Ghostboy and the Moonbalm Treasure
4pm at North Library, Manor Gardens, Islington, N7 6JX
Free entry, no advance booking necessary.
Visitors to the library during the centenary celebrations can also enjoy a photographic exhibition on how the Holloway area has changed over the last 100 years, put on in conjunction with the Islington Local History Centre.
For further information about these and all other centenary events, contact North Library on 020 7527 7840, email them at north.library@islington.gov.uk or visit www.islington.gov.uk/education/libraries.
Ends
For more information on this news release please contact Verity Cork on 020 7527 1855.
Page Last Updated: 29 July 2008