New chapter in Rawdon library’s golden history (From Ilkley Gazette)
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New chapter in Rawdon library’s golden history
3:50pm Friday 12th October 2012 in Local news
Celebrating Rawdon Library’s 50th anniversary are former librarians Pat Champlin, June Longley, Carol Bishop, Christine Roberts and Kathleen Wheater
Guests wore hats to step back in time for a 50th birthday celebration at Rawdon Library.
The purpose-built centre opened in 1962 and photographs from the time show the smartly-dressed staff wearing hats and gloves.
This theme was adopted for the half-a-century anniversary celebration, when residents and former library staff came together to remember past events and to discover what lies ahead as the Friends of Rawdon Community Library prepare to take over the building in 2013.
On arrival, guests were invited to choose from a selection of hats, fascinators and buttonholes created by the library’s craft group.
Among those attending were Christine Roberts, one of the library staff present at the opening ceremony in 1962, and 94-year-old Stanley Waddington, who worked in Micklefield House at the same time.
Also attending was Kathleen Wheater, who joined Aireborough Libraries in 1947.
Examples of board games and the craft makers’ quilting, knitting and embroidery were available for viewing at the event. And with the photographic exhibition of old Rawdon still on display, members of the local history group were on hand to record guests’ memories.
Library computers were in use and guests were told about the one-to-one computer help for beginners offered by community library volunteers.
