Celebratory event to mark 120 years of Keighley Library

There will be a host of free activities throughout the day at the North Street premises.

Keighley's was the first library in England to be funded by Andrew Carnegie.

On Saturday, at 10am, in the first-floor Local Studies Library, Irene Lofthouse – as Mrs Louise Carnegie – will give a presentation about their lives and involvement with the library.

And in the children's section, on the ground floor, Kate Holgate will read from and chat about her popular Witchworld books.

That will be followed by Saturday Rhyme Time and crafts.

The cutting of a celebratory cake – donated by Keighley Lions – will take place at 1.30pm, with long-serving library volunteer Philip Jackson performing the honours.

At 2.30pm, in the Local Studies Library, Tim Neal – from Keighley and District Local History Society – will give an illustrated talk about the history of Keighley Library.

And in the children's library, John Ibbotson – as Andrew Carnegie – will tell the story of Carnegie's life, from his emigration to America as a small boy to his struggles to self-educate in libraries in Pittsburgh and how, as one of the richest men in the world, he chose Keighley as the first town in England to finance a public library.

Cake and refreshments will be served at 4pm.