Earlham library steps back 80 years

Earlham Library 80th Birthday Pictures by Karl Collison

DAVID BALE
09 November 2009 13:00



Visitors to Earlham Library in Norwich were given the chance to step back in time and discover what books their ancestors read, as it celebrated its 80th anniversary on Saturday.

Top books from 1929 including Ernest Hemingway's A Farewell to Arms, Agatha Christie's The Seven Dials Mystery and PG Wodehouse's Summer Lightning are on show and available for customers to borrow from the library.

There's also a large collection of books about the 1920s as a decade, including works on the Wall Street Crash of 1929, and the Norfolk County Council-run library in Colman Road also has some rare and fascinating photographs on show, which were taken when the library first opened.

Derrick Murphy, Cabinet Member for Cultural Services at Norfolk County Council, said: “Earlham Library's function as a focal point for people to access and share important information and find a wide range of reading material remains unaltered.

“It is truly wonderful to see libraries such as Earlham providing services such as free internet access but also maintaining its traditional role of encouraging people of all ages and backgrounds to enjoy reading.”

Mary Edwards, 79, used to visit the library as a child in the 1940s, and still comes now, even though she lives a few miles away in Cringleford.

“I like coming here because it's small enough to see the wood from the trees,” she said. “But in the 1940s it was quite different. “There was a different layout and the smell was different. Books in those days weren't as colourful as they are today. I have looked at the books from 1929 in the exhibition and I have read several of them.”

Library manager Dominic Redsell said 80 years ago libraries adhered more to the stereotypical image of a quiet reading room.

He said: “I have been told that back then people would have been told to shush if they were talking. Maybe children were more disciplined then. But the inside of the building has not changed much.”

Some of the photographs on show, including one of boys in the junior section reading at the library from 1933, certainly suggest that youngsters were better behaved then than now.

However, Ros Sutton, from Newmarket Road, who has been a frequent visitor to the library for 20 years, said it was still quiet enough for her.

She said: “This to me is what a library should be like. The Millennium Library is too big for me. I like it here where it's quiet and you can sit and read a newspaper. The staff here are friendly and helpful and I come in whenever I can.”

The library, which was opened by Norwich Lord Mayor HP Gowen on Thursday, November 7, 1929, proved an instant success with 151 volumes issued on the first day and 4162 by the end of the month.

Saturday's celebrations included the cutting of a birthday cake by University ward city councillor Bert Bremner, and the library also welcomed back area manager Karen Tassell, who started her libraries career at Earlham Library.

The exhibition will be kept at the museum for about a week in case people missed it on the weekend.

To find out more about local library services, visit www.libraries.norfolk.gov.uk.

Are you Earlham Library's longest serving customer? Ring reporter David Bale on 01603 772427 or email david.bale2@archant.co.uk.

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