On Sunday 8th July it will be 110 years since Hove Library (gift to the city from Andrew Carnegie) opened. on 8th July 1908.
At 3pm, we will be having a street celebration outside (cake and cordial) to celebrate. We intend short readings, poems and quotes in celebration of Libraries - musicians and celebrities also welcome. One lady has already offered to come dressed in Edwardian costume to read an Edwardian library poem!
Everyone welcome including children.
Dress code: Bright colours.
A few of us will go to the Connaught pub afterwards for a drink, but we wanted to honour Andrew Carnegie (a teetotaller) in the street celebration.
Please come and show your love and appreciation for this jewel in Hove's crown.
Hove Carnegie Library is much loved and much used, yet has suffered many threats over the years so we thought it would be nice to do something positive with this celebration and show our appreciation. If you would like to contribute a reading or piece, please email hovewriters@outlook.com to let us know.
Facebook invitation here
I myself have penned the following poem for the occasion.
Love Your Library
Whether you
can or can’t afford to go to university
There’s no
greater place for education and diversity
It’s
international, equal and inclusive too
And the
council provides it just for you!
It’s a
window on the world
Great
adventures unfurled
A chest full
of treasures
And jewels
beyond measure
You never
know what you might accidentally find
Whereas
Google just pairs you with the same kind
Social
mobility lurks within these shelves
For the next
Carnegie who wants to make themself
It’s a refuge from rain, a sanctuary, a nest
A lifeline
for many who need a rest
From the
world’s loneliness, cruelty and random tests
So love your
library, give it a hug
Tell all your
friends about the reading bug
Or come in
to read the papers or use the free IT
Or join a
book club or writing group in the local community
Bring your
kids for storytime, it’s also free
What’s not
to love about your local Library?
©LS King 2018
The other day I saw two teenage girls doing a fashion shoot on the internal staircase and enthusing how great the ornate windows looked on social media. It was refreshing to see that Hove Library users also find new ways to appreciate this handsome Grade II listed building 110 years on.
We look forward to seeing you on 8th July!
