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

Minnie Birch and Lizzy Hardingham

Sat 27 Sept 2025, 7–9pm

Hertford Library

Join us for a sensational evening of indie folk music with two of Hertfordshire’s finest singer songwriters.

Minnie Birch and Lizzy Hardingham – read more and book

An evening with Ali Harris

Tues 14 Oct 2025, 7.30 – 8.30pm

Hitchin Library

Join author Ali Harris as she discusses love, loss and the role that writing and sharing stories has played in surviving the darkest of times - and in finding hope on the other side.

An evening with Ali Harris read more and book

Meet the Author – Elly Griffiths

Tues 4 Nov 2025, 7–8.30pm

Tring Library

Join us for a riveting talk on the ins and outs of crime writing and Elly's latest Sunday Times bestseller, The Frozen People.

Elly Griffiths – 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

Thank you for all your submissions to the 100 word poetry challenge.
We look forward to announcing the winners and will share the date soon.

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 September's recommended reads.

The favourite book chosen by Hertfordshire residents in August was Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin.

August winner

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.