I knew this library in my work as a Library Assistant (2000 – 2015), as a customer and on retirement as the Secretary of the Friends group. The last role was to join the campaign against its closure and then as a witness on the day when the doors finally closed.

Patients and Nurses outside the Parish Rooms

The original library layout from the entrance had a long staff desk to the left with evenly spaced shelving and seating areas on the polished wooden floors. Behind a door to the rear of the building was the “book stack”. These were rolling shelves that had to be wedged open with a chair. They contained a newspaper archive and complete sets by authors such as Arthur Conan Doyle. Melissa Lorenc remembers as a girl excitedly coming with her list of Nancy Drew titles so staff could fetch the next one in the sequence.

The small alcoves and bay by the front window were quiet spaces where people could come, sit and just be. I can’t think of anywhere else where that happens. Regular customers would become part of our working days as we became a part of theirs. It was a lovely thing to greet them by name and to sense we were each an individual in a greater whole.

Lynn Tickner recalls the library being “a sanctuary” in the void of bereavement when her husband Barry died. She particularly liked browsing the poetry books and to quietly read undisturbed. Lynn found a safe space there; I trust that everyone who visited felt the same.

The Library was refurbished in 2007/2008 with a smaller service provided in Chichele College while the building work was carried out. Self service machines and public computers were installed marking a new technological era.

The downstairs layout became open plan and carpeted. A small concession to retain the original wooden flooring was kept to the staff desk area. Library users were glad to return to the welcoming atmosphere again.

'The shop'

There was focus to provide new things for the community.

Public computers provided access to jobseekers and staff were pleased to help with enquiries to those not online at home. Online subscriptions allowed free research to support businesses and those interested in family history. Customers wanting to check emails or browse Facebook the charge was £1 for 20 minutes. A popular day was the “free internet Friday”.

Children's activities

The Sure Start Children’s Centre moved into the rear of the building with a meeting space and its own kitchen. A garden area was developed with raised flower beds, a sandpit, covered buggy store and outdoor toys.

There was a full timetable of children’s activities and family events which were very well supported and appreciated. A seemingly endless amount of money was spent on providing toys for the Children’s area. I enjoyed listening to the singing and chatter, but there was sometimes a clash of cultures from those thinking that libraries should always be quiet places.

Refurbishment upstairs meant the reserve stock was either sold off or moved to Brackley Library’s reserve archive. A meeting room space was created that was available for hire – used regularly by weekly yoga sessions and adult education groups, the U3A computer group and safe space for a charity working with teenage girls.

Computers installed in the staff kitchen area allowed County Council staff to “hot-desk” which brought a different flow of people coming and going.

Opening hours changed

Later evening opening times were changed into a uniform pattern of shutting at 6pm during the week.  Sunday opening was trialed for a short time. This gave the opportunity for working families to access services more easily. I noticed more fathers with their children on Sunday afternoons. I remember being grateful myself for somewhere to take my children and for them to enjoy free books and comics. It’s appalling that currently there is no statutory requirement for schools to have a library. 

The volunteer role was extended and staff were encouraged to recruit. The Library to You service based in the library was already providing an individual book selection into homes. New volunteer roles included shelving, helping with customer enquiries, IT support and at events. With less staff they helped to keep the service running, but I did wonder what plans were afoot for the future of the library service.

Eventually County Council cuts began to bite and the Sure Start Centre closed. Library staff took on their work to provide Rhyme Times and other events for the Under 5’s. It was a huge pressure for staff to balance all the different roles and expectations.

Refreshments

A wide variety of events were offered through the year, concluding with the Town’s Christmas Sparkle weekend when the library held a craft fair with refreshments. The community atmosphere created a happy buzz that strengthened friendship and local links.

The following give a flavour of some of the occasions we all enjoyed together:

Cando Care, a private business caring for the elderly and vulnerable took over the space vacated by the Sure Start Centre in 2017. I recall a wonderful intergenerational event with seniors and under 5’s showing the crafts they had made together and performing songs. When Higham Ferrers Library closed, Cando Care relocated to Irthlingborough Library.

Cando Care

Little by little things declined. The Mobile Library service was withdrawn and the van moved from the garage next to the building. Newspapers and magazines were no longer funded and the amount of new stock reduced. The daily visitors who used to come for a cup of tea and keep up with the news unsurprisingly declined in number. The Friends stepped in to provide the weekly local newspaper and supplies to provide hot drinks. I believe that without proper resources the smaller libraries were set up to fail.

Last to go

So much was lost when our Library shut; important things that cannot be quantified.

I feared that the building itself might be demolished to provide flats, but it was purchased by the local builder Snowdon Homes, moving their offices from the Market Square. Their new address at “The Old Library” acknowledges the building’s legacy. A condition of sale was that a room should be available for community use. The restored exterior and carefully planted front garden keeps a sense of the place’s value in Higham Ferrers’ long memory.

Campaign Poster	On the Market Square