Hertfordshire Libraries is 100

Hertfordshire Libraries Service is 100!

We're excited to celebrate 100 years of Hertfordshire Libraries this year and everyone in Hertfordshire is invited to join us!

28 February 2025 marked 100 years since a countywide library service opened.

Whether you're a regular library visitor, a user of our many online resources, or someone who hasn’t thought about a library in a long time, join in the celebrations and discover more about what our modern library service has to offer.

Browse upcoming Libraries Centenary events

Featured events

An Evening of (Very) Old Radio

Thurs 29 Jan 2026, 7–9pm

Hemel Hempstead Library

British broadcasting's origin story is brought to life by British Comedy Award-winning writer, comedian and broadcast historian Paul Kerensa, in a stand-up history show that informs, educates and entertains.

An Evening of (Very) Old Radio – read more and book

Lee Child at Hitchin Library

Fri 27 Feb 2026, 3–4.30pm

Hitchin Library

Join us for an afternoon with Lee Child, internationally acclaimed author of the Jack Reacher series.

Lee Child at Hitchin Library – read more and book

Lee Child at St Albans Library

Fri 27 Feb 2026, 3–4.30pm

St Albans Library

Hear Lee share the stories behind his bestselling books, explore his creative process, and gain a rare insight into the world of one of crime fiction’s most influential voices.

Lee Child at St Albans Library – read more and book

See all Centenary events

Quiz Night: Through the Decades

Enjoy a night of quizzing fun as we take you Through the Decades of the past 100 years.

Everyone is welcome. Teams of up to 8 but individuals are welcome too.

Check which libraries are quizzing near you!

Quiz nights – find out more and book

100 word poem challenge

Enjoy reading the fantastic poems celebrating libraries, reading and creativity on our blog.

Thank you for all your submissions to the 100 word poetry challenge, we received well over 400 poems from all ages and are delighted to share the winning poems and shortlisted poems.

Herts Big Read

Celebrating books and reading for pleasure will be a highlight of our centenary year. Each month our libraries will be sharing 10 titles from which you can choose your favourite and cast your vote.

Choose your favourite from December’s recommended reads.

The favourite book chosen by Hertfordshire residents in November was Lessons in Chemistry, the 2022 debut from Bonnie Garmus.

Reminisce with us

We know how much people value looking back at the past and sharing memories. So we're excited to share a 'Through the Decades' short film and an exciting exhibition charting the changes to our library service over 100 years, as well as the threads that have remained the same.

The exhibition will tour from March to the end of the year, with host locations till December now available.

Have your say…

We always want to hear what library users and Hertfordshire residents have to say about their library service, and especially so during our centenary year.

We'll be filming and interviewing library visitors at different libraries throughout the year. We'll confirm dates soon.

Alternatively, please do share your thoughts:

Our thanks to Arts Council England National Lottery Project Grant funding for enabling us to host a yearlong Centenary celebration of reading and creativity in Hertfordshire.