Heritage day to celebrate library's 120th anniversary

Hundreds of people gathered at Ilkeston's Market Place for the opening of the library in 1904

A heritage day has been announced to celebrate a Derbyshire library's 120th anniversary.

Ilkeston Library 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.

During the heritage day on Friday, people will be able to visit the local studies area and meet historians and librarians to ask questions.

Derbyshire County Council leader Barry Lewis said: "It 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."

"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," he added.

Laying the foundation stone for Ilkeston Library in 1903

The council said 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".

Back in 1904, readers selected their books from lists, with shelves for browsing being introduced in 1922.

Assistant in charge of the library, Jackie Swepstone, said the building had become her "second home" over the years.

The 63-year-old said she used the library during her school days and had now been working there for 46 years.

"It is a lovely building, and more or less in its original form, it has hardly changed in 120 years," she said.

Jackie Swepstone (left), pictured with fellow assistant in charge Anna Fearn, said the building had become her "second home" over the years

On the heritage day, Ms Swepstone said: "It is going to be really good - 120 years is quite a big one.

"We are going to open up our entire top floor to allow people to have a look around and to see how the old building looks.

"Libraries are really important, reading is so important, but we are not just about the books.

"We want to encourage people to come through the doors and to celebrate the community aspect of what we do."

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