Staff at Kingswood Library are holding a celebration to mark the library’s 50th birthday and they hope that some of the first people through the door when it first opened in the 1960s will be able to join them.
The High Street library opened to the public in February 1961 and has provided an excellent facility for the community to enjoy ever since. The above photograph of school children was taken around the same time as the official opening on March 16th 1961 – are you in this photograph? If so, library staff are hoping to put names to faces and record memories of the library as it has developed over the years. This will be included in a commemorative diary which will be kept at the library for users old and new to enjoy. And if you recognise yourself in the photo and you would like to attend the celebrations then please get in contact with librarian Julie Barker on 01454 868006.
A 50th anniversary celebration is being held on Saturday 12th February between 10am and 4pm. Cllr Janet Biggin, Chairman of South Gloucestershire Council, will get proceedings under way at 11am by cutting a cake and this will be followed by a programme of live music from the Bristol Wind Band.
A display of 1960s TV programmes will be on display for library users to take a trip down memory lane and look at life in the Kingswood area during this decade. There will also be a photographic display which documents the changing face of the library over the last 50 years.
Cllr Heather Goddard, executive member for communities, said: “Kingswood Library has always played an important part in community life since it was built in the 60s. It is impressive how libraries have adapted over the years to the changing needs of society and embraced new technology like computers in order to provide the community with a high quality service. South Gloucestershire Council has supported this development through the refurbishment of the library in 2008 and providing free access to the internet which has become a major part of the information age. Despite all the changes the importance of promoting reading and providing a local information service has remained at the core of their service.”
As well as the weekend celebrations, there will also be a 1960s-themed quiz held at the library on Wednesday 16th February at 7.30pm. Tickets are £2 for members and £2.50 for non-members and are available from any South Gloucestershire library.
Source: South Gloucestershire Council
