A very special birthday party will be held on Saturday 17 May to celebrate Lye Library’s 90th anniversary.
Sir Cedric Hardwicke, a famous actor of the time who was born in Lye, opened the library in 1935 – two weeks after receiving his knighthood. A blue plaque on the library wall commemorates the occasion.
The Friends of Lye Library are organising the birthday event and the Mayor of Dudley, as well as several councillors, have been invited to attend. Dudley’s town crier will also be on hand to welcome visitors.
“It’s an important moment in the library’s history and we’re grateful to The Friends for arranging it,” said Annette Templar, the library’s manager.
“There will be a variety of stall and displays, refreshments will be provided, and entry is free.”
Operating under the Better brand, GLL runs Lye Library on behalf of Dudley Council. A significant refurbishment funded by a grant of £144,715 from the government’s Library Improvements Fund resulted in an extensive makeover earlier this year.
Lye has also been shortlisted for The Bookseller’s Library of the Year award for 2025 – with winners being announced in May.
For more information about Lye Library, visit https://www.better.org.uk/library/dudley/lye-library/ or call 01384 812835.
