2019 marks 100 years since the death of Andrew Carnegie, Scottish/American industrialist, one of the richest men in history and a leading philanthropist.

His special emphasis on local libraries is reflected in Keighley’s historic Carnegie Library, the first library in England to be funded by Carnegie with a grant of £10,000, opening in 1904.

But it was Andrew Carnegie’s wife, New York born Louise Whitfield Carnegie, who encouraged her husband to start giving away his fortune to build free public libraries.

To celebrate National Libraries week Keighley Local Studies Library is hosting a special theatrical performance by local playwright, actor and historian Irene Lofthouse.

Come along and hear the story of this remarkable woman and about the part played by the Carnegies in the history of Keighley’s library.

Keighley Local Studies Library
Saturday 12th October
10.30am – 12.00 noon

• Free event
• All welcome
• Suitable for all ages

For more information contact the library on: 01535 618215 or email keighleylocalstudies@bradford.gov.uk

On Tuesday 2nd of July, Bradford Local Studies was visited by a Chinese film crew from Phoenix TV. They were in Bradford producing a documentary on the links between the Bradford wool trade and China in the early 1950’s.

They had met various people in Bradford who had knowledge this trade, including relatives of some of the businessmen involved back in the 50’s.

During their visit to the library, Phoenix TV presenter Jay Cao was filmed looking at original copies of Telegraph and Argus articles about the trade links that the Local Studies Library staff had found.

The programme is due to be broadcast in October 2019.

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Keighley Local Studies Library will close from Monday 3^rd of June 2019 for Collections Week.

The week’s closure will enable work to be carried out on a section of the large collection of Local Authority material with the aim of increasing convenience of user access and ensuring that these unique items are stored in the best way for future preservation.

A selection of items from the Local Authority archives will be on display when the Local Studies Library reopens on Monday 10^th of June

Apologies for any inconvenience caused during this period.

‘Peaceful Women’ is a performance exploring local women who campaigned for peace during WW1 and following the end of WW1 and their efforts to use peaceful methods for change.

All are welcome to join Irene Lofthouse , local author, playwright, actor and historian, at Keighley Local Studies Library on Wednesday 6^th March for a performance of ‘Peaceful Women’.  This is a free event, open to all. It will take place between 1.15pm and 2.45pm.

There will also be events for invited schools in Bradford and Keighley Local Studies Libraries over the course of the week.

‘Mrs Norton’ (Irene Lofthouse) retold her story as a suffragette for Bradford Local Studies Libraries during 2018. This year she will introduce ‘Peaceful Women’ characterising each person through voice and props.

Irene Lofthouse as Mrs Norton

The interactive performances will raise awareness of known and hidden histories of local women and their impact locally and nationally. It will connect the local past with its present and future through an informative and entertaining piece of theatre.

Libraries will have a display of archive materials for audiences to explore hands on and ‘Mrs Norton’ will answer questions.