Fulham Library is 100

Wednesday October 14, 2009

Fulham Library will be bringing out the bunting and balloons to celebrate its 100th birthday later this month.

The library, on Fulham Road, was designed by famous architect Henry T Hare and opened on October 21, 1909. 

Fulham Library has enjoyed a colourful history and has been an integral part of the Fulham landscape since it was built.

The building cost £15,000 to build and was paid for by the Scottish philanthropist Andrew Carnegie.  Until 1992, when it was moved to the present Archives and Local History Centre, the Fulham local history collection was housed at the library. 

In early 1944 the library had a narrow escape when an incendiary bomb crashed through the glass roof of the reference library.

Fortunately, the chief librarian and a member of his staff were on duty as fire guards, and managed to put the fire out with a stirrup pump.

To mark its centenary, the council has organised an exciting day of activities that will take place exactly 100 years to the day since the building was opened. Library staff will be wearing traditional Edwardian clothes, customers will be invited to take part in a special quiz and a lace making demonstration will take place. There will also be face painting and children will be given going home presents.

The library now has over 26,000 registered members and there were almost 250,000 visits to the library last year. About 350 new members join the library every month and a lift was installed to improve access in 2003.

Cllr Bristow, cabinet member for residents’ services, said: “The centenary of Fulham Library really is an occasion to celebrate. Libraries have changed immensely over the last 100 years and it wonderful to think that this branch has been open for so long. It is also fantastic that we are celebrating this important landmark only a month after the opening of the brand new state-of-the-art Shepherds Bush Library at Westfield.”