EARLSDON Carnegie Community Library has had a week worth writing about after receiving royal thanks, along with an 84-year overdue library book.
Paddy Riordan delighted staff with the copy of ‘Red Deer’ which was booked out by his grandfather Capt William Harrison for his daughter Anne and was due back on October 11, 1938.
Capt Harrison passed away in 1957 while Anne died recently and his grandson Paddy Riordan returned it after finding it whilst sorting out his mum’s possessions.
Having returned the book, Paddy then volunteered to pay the fine, which worked out at £18.27 in today’s money.
Library volunteer Julie Rubidge said she was ‘really pleased’ it was back adding it would not be booked out again.
The library was just 25 years old when that copy of ‘Red Deer’ was taken out, but the extraordinary events that followed may never have happened if it was not for the group of volunteers which saved and refurbished the library upon hearing it was due to close.
And it was that spirit which saw the library become one of just 17 organisations across the West Midlands to receive the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service at a special event at the Birmingham Hippodrome on Sunday.
The award, handed out by the region’s Lord-Lieutenant, John Crabtree OBE, is equivalent to an MBE and is the highest award a local voluntary group can receive.
Earlsdon Carnegie Community Library now provides vital services including a children’s library, book-borrowing, social and friendship groups and is even acting as ‘warm welcomers’ to help people ease their own cost-of-living crises and avoid the cold this winter.
The winners were announced on June 2, the anniversary of the late Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation.
Library volunteer Julie Rubidge said: “The whole experience was really humbling and a real honour when you consider the groups we were named alongside and the amazing work they do.
“We also received a certificate signed by the Queen, and the fact these were the last ones she ever signed gives this award even greater significance.”
The library hopes the award will encourage more people to donate to help fund it – 200 people contributing £5 per month would be sufficient to secure its services.
Visit earlsdonlibrary.org.uk/ to donate.
