When Keighley Library first opened in 1904, it inherited the library of the Mechanics’ Institute in
Keighley. That was the start of collections being received at the library which then became a
repository for Keighley and its local district. The supreme collector was lan Dewhirst. He
became Reference Librarian in 1967, following a period in the Lending Library, and he
remained in post until his retirement in 1991.

As a career it was not perhaps very exciting, but from my point of
view being Reference Librarian with oversight of a large and
growing Local History collection, dovetailed admirably with my
personal interests. I was never sure where my work ended and my
hobbies began, and vice-versa, and I think both benefited as a
result.”

Ian Dewhirst Reference Librarian

lan’s reputation as a local historian of remarkable knowledge spread as did his love of local heritage and history and people gladly donated business and family collections to Keighley’s growing archive. In the 1980s, following flooding at the Canal Road offices, West Yorkshire Archive Service also deposited Keighley Borough and local UDC archives to add to this large unique collection.

Keighley now has an important archive, acknowledged by the National Archives, that can be accessed freely by the general public, councillors, researchers, local historians and local schools to encourage a love of history and heritage. lan has in no small way contributed to this wonderful heritage.

The Ian Dewhirst Collection