By Alan Wylie, Librarian at Finsbury Library
The Finsbury Library in St John Street opened in 1967. Since then it’s become home to the Local History Centre and Islington Museum and Learning Centre, and over the years a host of famous faces have been spotted browsing its shelves. Broadcaster and local Janet Street-Porter dropped in as did cult author Douglas Adams, who used to regularly borrow BBC sound effect LPs – and whose play The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy has just reached 42 years old (42 being the galaxy’s significant number).
What they found, and more, is still here – a wide selection of the latest bestsellers, classics contemporary fiction, nonfiction, books for children and young people. We have audio books, books in large print and newspapers, and digital resources including emagazines, e-books and eaudio. We provide free PC use, wifi and free beginners IT training. Our Learning Centre offers a wide range of courses too.
It’s not just about media. We run Baby Bounce and Under Fives sessions, school class visits, Summer and Winter reading challenges, a Toy Library, Homework Club, as well as a Lego Club, crafts/ arts events and lots of other monthly activities.
It holds the area’s heritage too. The Islington Local History Centre and Islington Museum has the archives for the borough from Elizabethan times and has a changing programme of events and exhibitions.
If you want to know more about what’s going on, pop in and pick up a brochure which lists all the activities for the forthcoming month. And don’t forget to join the library – it’s free!
For more details: Visit islington.gov.uk/librariesarts-and-heritage/libraries/yourlocal-libraries/finsbury-library
