Newark Library celebrates its 30th birthday with some 80s nostalgia fun…and cake

Join staff this weekend at Newark Library as they bring a slice of 80s nostalgia to the town to celebrate the 30^th anniversary of the opening of their iconic building. A day of activities, VIP guests and, of course birthday cake, will take place on Saturday 21 July from 11am. There’ll be a mega 80s themed quiz, spinner painting, badge making and the chance to play the classis arcade game Pac-Man, along with a collection of historic photographs of the library.

Opened in July 1988 by the Duke of Kent, the contemporary glass design of the building went on to win a prestigious architectural award and soon became a seamless part of the local landscape. In its first year after opening library memberships jumped from 4,500 to 12,500 and borrowing of books more than doubled. The library now has over 33,000 items of stock, and last year alone Newark customers checked out or renewed over 165,000 items, making it the 4^th busiest library in the county.

The Chairman of Nottinghamshire County Council, Councillor Sue Saddington and Councillor John Cottee will attend the event and celebrate alongside staff and customers (both past and present) as well as representatives from local community groups and societies. Newark Town Mayor, Councillor Tony Roberts MBE, will attend later in the day to take part in some of the activities taking place.

Nottinghamshire County Councillor John Cottee, Communities and Place Committee chairman said: “This is a landmark occasion so I am very pleased to have this opportunity to visit this library and the town as I know that both have played, and will continue to play, a significant role in Nottinghamshire’s cultural heritage.”

The schedule of activities for the day will run as follows;

• 10.15-10.45 Badge Making
• 11am – Councillors arrive
• 11.15am – Speech by the Chairman of the County Council, Councillor Sue Saddington
• 11.30am – Birthday Cake (refreshments)
• 11.45am – Mega 1980s themed quiz
• 12.30 (approx..) – visit from the Mayor of Newark, Cllr Tony Roberts MBE
• 1pm -Quiz answers
• 2-3pm – Spinner Painting & Badge making