Walthamstow Library marks its 100-year anniversary with celebrations (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

Walthamstow Library marks its 100-year anniversary with celebrations

1:20pm Friday 10th July 2009 in

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A CELEBRATION took place today to mark the 100th birthday of Walthamstow Library.

The library opened on its current site in the High Street in July 1909, after local benefactor Andrew Carnegie gave £10,000 for a new building and a new library.

The library replaced Rosebank, the building that had become too small for the ever-expanding library service.

At the library this morning, students from the William Morris School Gospel Choir performed songs to guests and a special commemorative cake was cut.

Pupils from Hillyfield Primary School in Higham Hill Road, Wlathamstow, also joined the celebration.

Head of libraries, museum and gallery, Lorna Lee said: “This shows how libraries have been a way of life for the last 100 years and how it has transformed over the years to become part of the community.”

High Street ward councillor James O'Rourke said: “This is where I came as a child to study for my O'levels upstairs.

“It is nice to see it refurbished. Other London boroughs have built purpose-built libraries but Andrew Carnegie gave us this and we owe it to him to keep it.”

Walthamstow library was damaged by a fire in 1982, but survived and was refurbished in 2007.

A family party to celebrate the library’s birthday is also being held at the library on Saturday, July 11, from 10am to 4.30pm.

There will be story time, Dotty the Clown, badge making, craft workshops, face-painting and other activities.