This week in Down Memory Lane we recall the start of Thurrock’s library service and the opening of our first purpose-built library 110 years ago!

In 1893, a poll was carried out to decide if the Public Libraries Act should be adopted for the district. The outcome was 482 for and 200 against and the Act was adopted on March 7, allowing for one penny to be added to the rates, valued at eight shillings in the pound and raising £110 per year to pay for a librarian and all associated costs of the service.

A temporary reading room was opened in 1 Bank Building, in the High Street, and it was supplied with periodicals. A few years later books were issued for home reading. These were mainly donated or
purchased with a Book Fund accumulated from donations, whist drives and lectures.

A donation of 26 volumes of The Stud Book raised concerns from the librarian in charge as suspicions were raised that the library was being used as a betting office!

Children were not admitted, but 14-18-year-olds could apply for permission from the chairman and two members of the Library Committee.

Larger accommodation was sought and in 1902 Councillor GH Silverwood wrote to steel tycoon and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie for funds. Seven days later a reply was received confirming a grant of £3,000 for a public library building and, with the support of Messrs Charles Seabrooke and H Astley – co-owners of Seabrooke’s brewery – land was gifted in Orsett Road.
A further 500 guineas was raised for books by inhabitants of the town and children raised money to buy a turret clock for the library. The Carnegie Grays Library opened on November 11, 1903.