Libraries turn 100 - Our century of stories

30 Jan 2024

This year marks 100 years of the County Library Service in Northumberland. In August 1924, the Northumberland County Council adopted the Public Libraries Act (1919) and, with the aid of a Carnegie United Kingdom Trust grant, 85 library centres were established in the rural districts of the county.

Collections of books were usually housed in schools or other community buildings and run by a volunteer local librarian. The library took the form of a “book box” or bookcase, opened at least once a week to allow books to be issued. In 1926, a central book depot was opened in Morpeth and it was from here that stock was regularly circulated to the library centres via a book van.

In the 1930s the library service gradually extended into the urban areas. After the war, branch libraries were set up in available Council buildings.

Northumberland Libraries will be celebrating this centenary by sharing stories and memories of what the library service has meant to people in the county over the years, particularly those communities in the more remote areas.

The celebrations will begin in the spring and build up to the main activity in summer, coinciding with their birthday month of August.

Keep an eye on the Northumberland Libraries social media for updates on activities or visit www.mylibrary.co.uk for more information.