The atmosphere was far from silent in Swaffham's public library at the weekend - fun and games and a cake were being enjoyed to mark its 50th anniversary.
The atmosphere was far from silent in Swaffham's public library at the weekend - fun and games and a cake were being enjoyed to mark its 50th anniversary.
The invite-only party on Saturday afternoon launched a week of special events marking five decades of the library operating in the town in its complex at The Pightle.
Guests, past and present library staff, WRVS volunteers (who choose and deliver books to the housebound) reading group members attended the event which included a cake-cutting ceremony performed by councillor Ann Steward.
When the town's library opened on its present site in July 1960 it replaced facilities run by volunteers since the 1930s. In 1959 the service had 741 borrowers who read 14,475 books throughout the year. Last year the library saw more than 65,000 visitors, issued 75,000 books and enrolled more than 600 new members.
Over the years the service has seen a number of changes, including computerisation of its stock catalogue in the early 1990s, the introduction of public-use computers in the early 2000s and, earlier this year, self-service machines were installed.
Norfolk County Council's Cabinet Member for Cultural Services, Derrick Murphy said: 'Swaffham library is very well used by the local community and remains a focal point for people to access and share important information and find a wide range of reading material. It is great to be celebrating the library's 50 years at the heart of the local community.'
Swaffham community librarian, Alison Thorne, said everyone enjoyed Saturday's celebrations and people reminisced about the old days and how the town had changed.
'It was a really successful event and good fun and because of the warm sunshine some activities - including the 60s game of twister - were played outside'said Miss Thorne.
She urged anyone who had not been to the library recently or never been there at all to take time and discover all that it offers, it was about more than books .It is free to join the lending service.
Fiftieth anniverary events continue during this week at the library and more information is available by calling 01760 721513 or visiting the website: www.library.norfolk.gov.uk
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