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

Author Talk with Ben Aaronovitch

Thurs 14 Aug 2025, 7 – 8.30pm

Oxhey Library (South Oxhey)

Join Ben for an evening of Q&A and a book signing of his newest addition to the Rivers of London series, Stone and Sky.

Author Talk with Ben Aaronovitch read more and book

Meet the Author – Nic Wilson

Tues 28 Oct 2025, 7.30–9pm

Welwyn Garden City Library

Join Nic Wilson, Guardian Country Diarist as she discusses her new book Land Beneath the Waves this Green Libraries week.

Nic Wilson – read more and book

In conversation with Rory Clements

Wed 12 Nov 2025, 6.30 – 7.30pm

Bishop's Stortford Library

The award-winning author has a new book out in August, Evil in High Places – the second to feature murder cop, Sebastian Wolff (Munich Wolf).

In conversation with Rory Clements read more and book

See all Centenary events

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 August's recommended reads.

The favourite book chosen by Hertfordshire residents in July was Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens.

Where the crawdads sing book art

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.