Around 135 libraries throughout the country are celebrating the reopening of Spellow Lane Library in Liverpool months after it was damaged by rioters.
Spellow Lane Library and Community Hub in Walton is reopening on Thursday (12th December) following several months of refurbishment. The attack by rioters prompted a huge outcry and a nationwide response, with book donations from Her Majesty the Queen and numerous authors, as well as a £250,000 fundraising campaign.
To mark the reopening, the Leader of Liverpool City Council, Councillor Liam Robinson, called on local authorities across the country to be part of a nationwide symbolic moment. On the evening of Wednesday (11th December) over 100 libraries—from Lancashire and Newcastle to Southampton, Cornwall and even the Isle of Wight—agreed to light up in solidarity and share photographs of it on their social media platforms using the hashtag #ShareTheLight.
At the same time, there will be a community-focused event for local people in Walton, part of which will be broadcast live on The One Show on BBC One.
The building is being officially reopened on Thursday morning (12th December) at a civic event, which will include members of the local community, schoolchildren, first responders and political leaders. There will also be contributions from poet Levi Tafari and Waterstones Children’s Laureate Frank Cottrell-Boyce. Following the event, the venue will welcome the public from 12.30pm. After the reopening, there will be a weekend of family Christmas events, which the local community are welcome to attend. More information is available by searching for Spellow Library at liverpool.gov.uk/libraryevents.
