LOCAL HISTORY WEEK LOCAL HISTORY WEEK 21 – 26 April 200321 – 26 April 2003

““The Library in the The Library in the CommunityCommunity””

Lochgelly LibraryLochgelly Library

BYGONE DAYSBYGONE DAYS

• As early as 1893, Lochgelly Library was As early as 1893, Lochgelly Library was in the Co-Operative Building, formerly in the Co-Operative Building, formerly the grocery department. the grocery department.

• There was also a library in a public There was also a library in a public school with 150 books prior to 1925 as school with 150 books prior to 1925 as the town grew.the town grew.

• The Miners Welfare Building opened in The Miners Welfare Building opened in 1925 and the library moved into the 1925 and the library moved into the premises on the ground floor in 1926.premises on the ground floor in 1926.

• The present library opened in 1965.The present library opened in 1965.

Reading and Recreation Reading and Recreation RoomsRooms

Miners’ Welfare InstituteMiners’ Welfare Institute

NEW LIBRARY OPENSNEW LIBRARY OPENS

• Lochgelly Library was opened by Mrs Jean H Lochgelly Library was opened by Mrs Jean H Mackie, Dunfermline, Convenor of Fife County Mackie, Dunfermline, Convenor of Fife County Council’s Further Education Committee.Council’s Further Education Committee.

• It cost £14,000 and was designed by the County It cost £14,000 and was designed by the County Architect and erected by Fife Council Works Architect and erected by Fife Council Works Department.Department.

• This was the first detached building to be used This was the first detached building to be used entirely for library purposes and it housed over entirely for library purposes and it housed over 10,000 books.10,000 books.

• The new library opened on 13The new library opened on 13thth December 1965 December 1965 in East Main Street.in East Main Street.

An Original InvitationAn Original Invitation

Lochgelly Library TodayLochgelly Library Today

STAFF THROUGH THE STAFF THROUGH THE YEARSYEARS

• There have been a number of librarians There have been a number of librarians employed through the years - employed through the years -

• Betty Morrice, (Miner’s Institute 1942) Betty Morrice, (Miner’s Institute 1942) • Miss Marion Murray (Lochgelly Library 1965)Miss Marion Murray (Lochgelly Library 1965)• Margaret Rhind Margaret Rhind • Iris Taylor , Librarian at Lochgelly, 1967 – Iris Taylor , Librarian at Lochgelly, 1967 –

19771977• Joyce Watson, Librarian at Lochgelly Jan 1978 – Joyce Watson, Librarian at Lochgelly Jan 1978 –

May 2000May 2000

STAFF MEMBERSSTAFF MEMBERS

Present Members of Staff:Present Members of Staff:

Ann Bahlaj, Library SupervisorAnn Bahlaj, Library Supervisor Jillian McFarlane, Library AssistantJillian McFarlane, Library Assistant Alison Bryson, Library AssistantAlison Bryson, Library Assistant Myra Arnott, Library AssistantMyra Arnott, Library Assistant Linda McGaughey, Library Assistant Linda McGaughey, Library Assistant

(Lochgelly and Lochore)(Lochgelly and Lochore)

COMMUNITY LINKSCOMMUNITY LINKS

We have links with:We have links with:

Lochgelly Community CouncilLochgelly Community Council Woodlands GroupWoodlands Group Lochgelly North SchoolLochgelly North School Other local schools and nurseriesOther local schools and nurseries Jenny Gray HomeJenny Gray Home

COMMUNITY LINKSCOMMUNITY LINKS

With Children in mindWith Children in mind: :

We have a good selection of books suitable for We have a good selection of books suitable for babiesbabies

Mystery Books – brightly wrapped surprise readsMystery Books – brightly wrapped surprise reads Summer Activities- fun filled summer holidaysSummer Activities- fun filled summer holidays Star Reader Scheme-green, silver or gold starred Star Reader Scheme-green, silver or gold starred

books and a books and a Free SwimFree Swim after reading five! after reading five! Community Bookshop- a great way to buy books!Community Bookshop- a great way to buy books! CompetitionsCompetitions

Bedtime Reading Evening Bedtime Reading Evening 20032003

Teenage “After Hours Teenage “After Hours Club”Club”

This Pilot This Pilot scheme was a scheme was a great success.great success.

Aimed at the Aimed at the 10-14 age 10-14 age groupgroup

Once a month Once a month the Library was the Library was thethe place to be place to be

As you can see As you can see we had a “Full we had a “Full House” every House” every timetime

What the Library offers What the Library offers todaytoday

Free Internet AccessFree Internet Access

Photocopying & Displays Photocopying & Displays

LOCAL HISTORY WEEK LOCAL HISTORY WEEK 20032003

WHAT’S NEW –LET’S REGENERATE!WHAT’S NEW –LET’S REGENERATE!

““The Library has outgrown it’s present building. We need The Library has outgrown it’s present building. We need more space to meet the needs of a 21st Century Library. more space to meet the needs of a 21st Century Library. We hope to develop new Library facilities in conjunction We hope to develop new Library facilities in conjunction with a family centre. The current proposal is to redevelop with a family centre. The current proposal is to redevelop the Miner’s Institute and Queens Hotel site to include new the Miner’s Institute and Queens Hotel site to include new buildings and the necessary car parking.”buildings and the necessary car parking.”

Lynn LeitchLynn Leitch

Regeneration Regeneration ManagerManager