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 marks 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

Author events

An afternoon with Robin Ince

Sun 18 May 2025, 2.30 – 4pm

St Albans Library

Join us for an afternoon with award-winning comedian, author, broadcaster and populariser of scientific ideas, Robin Ince.

Robin Ince – read more and book

Lipstick and Wishes with Maggie Brookes-Butt

Tues 10 June 2025, 7 – 8pm

Buntingford Library

Maggie talks about her themes of the strength of women and hope in the power of love in her poetry and novels. This Q & A and reading spans her poetry collections from 'Lipstick' to 'Wish' and her two historical fiction novels from Penguin, 'The Prisoner's Wife' and 'Acts of Love and War.'

Maggie Brookes-Butt – read more and book

How to be Disabled and Proud: for parents and carers

Thurs 26 June 2025, 7 – 8.30pm

Welwyn Garden City Central Library

We're excited to welcome Cathy Reay to Welwyn Garden City Library. Drawing on the author’s experience of growing up disabled, Disabled and Proud helps disabled children embrace (or at least feel OK with) their identity. This event is for parents and carers to help support and advocate for their children.

How to be Disabled and Proud: Cathy Reay – read more and book

See all Centenary events

100 day poetry festival

13 March – 21 June 2025

The poetry festival is running for 100 days, celebrating libraries, creativity and reading for pleasure.

Join us for an interactive workshop, reading or open mic night in a local library near you.

Renowned poets Simon Mole, Arji Manuelpillai, and Desree will join us for the ‘Giant Online Poetry Party’ on Monday 23 June to commemorate the occasion with participating schools.

100 word poem challenge

Send us your 100 word poem for the chance to win fantastic prizes!

Your poem can explore one or more of the following themes: libraries, creativity or reading for pleasure.

Need some inspiration? Watch the commissioned poems from celebrated poets Desree, Simon Mole and Arji Manuelpillai.

Submit your poem before Saturday 21 June.

Submit your 100 word poem

Events for children

There are lots of different centenary events specially for children to celebrate, including:

A Tale of Us – blending drama and multi-sensory playtime for parents with children ages 0-18 months.
Big Herts Hero Hunt – take on the ultimate challenge and uncover the secrets of Hertfordshire's heroes. Most suited for children aged 6+ and their families.
Centenary Baby Rhyme Times – fun half hour sessions of songs and rhymes.

See all children's events

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 May's recommended reads.

The favourite book chosen by Hertfordshire residents in April was American Dirt, the 2020 novel from Jeanine Cummins.

American Dirt (April winner) 384x480

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 for March to July 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.