One of Nottingham’s best-loved libraries is marking a special milestone this October as Radford-Lenton Library celebrates its 100th birthday.
Opened in 1926 as one of Nottingham’s Carnegie libraries, Radford-Lenton Library was made possible through a combination of Carnegie funding and local support. Shortly before the library opened, the Nottingham Evening Post reported that “it is largely owing to the actions of the Miners’ Welfare Committee (Wollaton Group) in promising a substantial grant towards the cost of buildings and equipment that it has been possible to carry through the scheme”.
The library officially opened on 22 October 1926 and welcomed its first borrowers soon afterwards. The first book issued was The Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens, selected by Councillor G. H. James JP, the first person to borrow from the new library.
A century later, Radford-Lenton Library continues to serve local residents, adapting to changing community needs while remaining a welcoming place for reading, learning and community connection.
Did you know? The same day also saw the opening of Wollaton Library and Wollaton Hall as a public museum, marking a significant day for Nottingham’s cultural and community services.
Built in an Elizabethan-inspired style and designed by Nottingham City Engineer T. Wallis Gordon, the historic building is one of Nottingham’s Carnegie-era libraries. While library services have changed significantly over the past 100 years, Radford-Lenton Library continues to be a welcoming place where people can read, learn, create and connect.
To celebrate the centenary, Nottingham City Libraries is inviting residents to a special birthday event on Saturday 31 October from 10am to 2pm.
The day will include:
- Live performances from Carlton Brass Band
- Birthday speeches and cake cutting
- Crafts and bat puppet making with puppeteer Laura Mathews
- A Birthday Wish Wall where visitors can share memories and messages
- Displays of local history materials from Local Studies
- A showcase of 100 commemorative bookmarks created by the library’s Knit & Natter group
- Refreshments throughout the day
Councillor David Mellen, Executive Member for Culture, Communities and Tourism, said:
“It’s wonderful to see Radford-Lenton Library reach its 100th birthday. A lot has changed since the library first opened its doors in 1926, and libraries have adapted to meet the needs of different generations. But what has remained the same is their importance as welcoming community spaces where people can learn, discover new interests and connect with others.
This anniversary is a chance to celebrate not only a remarkable building, but also the thousands of local people who have used and supported the library over the years. It’s wonderful that, 100 years on, Radford-Lenton Library continues to be a valued and well-used part of local life.”
Whether you have fond memories of visiting the library as a child, use it regularly today, or would simply like to learn more about its history, everyone is welcome to join the celebrations.
Radford-Lenton Library has been part of Nottingham’s story for 100 years. Join us on 31 October as we celebrate its past, present and future.
