LOCAL HISTORY WEEK 21 – 26 April 2003 “The Library in the Community” Lochgelly Library

BYGONE DAYS As early as 1893, Lochgelly Library was in the Co- Operative Building, formerly the grocery department. As early as 1893, Lochgelly Library was in the Co- Operative Building, formerly the grocery department. There was also a library in a public school with 150 books prior to 1925 as the town grew. There was also a library in a public school with 150 books prior to 1925 as the town grew. The Miners Welfare Building opened in 1925 and the library moved into the premises on the ground floor in The Miners Welfare Building opened in 1925 and the library moved into the premises on the ground floor in The present library opened in The present library opened in 1965.

Reading and Recreation Rooms

Miners’ Welfare Institute

NEW LIBRARY OPENS Lochgelly Library was opened by Mrs Jean H Mackie, Dunfermline, Convenor of Fife County Council’s Further Education Committee. Lochgelly Library was opened by Mrs Jean H Mackie, Dunfermline, Convenor of Fife County Council’s Further Education Committee. It cost £14,000 and was designed by the County Architect and erected by Fife Council Works Department. It cost £14,000 and was designed by the County Architect and erected by Fife Council Works Department. This was the first detached building to be used entirely for library purposes and it housed over 10,000 books. This was the first detached building to be used entirely for library purposes and it housed over 10,000 books. The new library opened on 13 th December 1965 in East Main Street. The new library opened on 13 th December 1965 in East Main Street.

An Original Invitation

Lochgelly Library Today

STAFF THROUGH THE YEARS There have been a number of librarians employed through the years - There have been a number of librarians 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 – 1977 Iris Taylor, Librarian at Lochgelly, 1967 – 1977 Joyce Watson, Librarian at Lochgelly Jan 1978 – May 2000 Joyce Watson, Librarian at Lochgelly Jan 1978 – May 2000

STAFF MEMBERS b Present Members of Staff: b Ann Bahlaj, Library Supervisor b Jillian McFarlane, Library Assistant b Alison Bryson, Library Assistant b Myra Arnott, Library Assistant b Linda McGaughey, Library Assistant (Lochgelly and Lochore)

COMMUNITY LINKS b We have links with: b Lochgelly Community Council b Woodlands Group b Lochgelly North School b Other local schools and nurseries b Jenny Gray Home

COMMUNITY LINKS b With Children in mind : b We have a good selection of books suitable for babies b Mystery Books – brightly wrapped surprise reads b Summer Activities- fun filled summer holidays b Star Reader Scheme-green, silver or gold starred books and a Free Swim after reading five! b Community Bookshop- a great way to buy books! b Competitions

Bedtime Reading Evening 2003

Teenage “After Hours Club” b This Pilot scheme was a great success. b Aimed at the age group b Once a month the Library was the place to be b As you can see we had a “Full House” every time

What the Library offers today

Free Internet Access

Photocopying & Displays

LOCAL HISTORY WEEK 2003 WHAT’S NEW –LET’S REGENERATE! “The Library has outgrown it’s present building. We need more space to meet the needs of a 21st Century Library. We hope to develop new Library facilities in conjunction with a family centre. The current proposal is to redevelop the Miner’s Institute and Queens Hotel site to include new buildings and the necessary car parking.” “The Library has outgrown it’s present building. We need more space to meet the needs of a 21st Century Library. We hope to develop new Library facilities in conjunction with a family centre. The current proposal is to redevelop the Miner’s Institute and Queens Hotel site to include new buildings and the necessary car parking.” Lynn Leitch Lynn Leitch Regeneration Manager Regeneration Manager