I visited Maidstone Library on Friday 4 October ahead of this year’s National Libraries Week (7-12 October).
This was my first visit to the Library in my role as Minister for Arts, Heritage and Tourism – which includes responsibility for libraries and museums.
It was great to mark the start of this important week – when we rightly celebrate the role libraries play in communities across our country – at one of Kent’s best libraries.
From ‘Baby Rhyme Time’ to researching Kent history, there is something for everyone at Maidstone library. As well as still being a place where people can borrow books. It’s a fantastic example of how a library can be at the heart of modern community life.
The theme for National Libraries Week this year is the role of libraries in the digital world. I was impressed to learn that the number of ‘e-books loaned by libraries in Kent last year was equal to the number of books in our 6 largest libraries.
Since opening in 2012, Maidstone Library has become a much-loved place for young and old. The dedication of the staff who work there is clearly a large part of its success.
