A display showcasing the history of Leicestershire libraries over the last 100 years is heading on tour over the next 12 months.
Leicestershire County Council’s library service celebrated its centenary in late 2024, 100 years after the service was established following a council motion.
The first libraries were opened using money from famous industrialist and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie, who funded thousands of free libraries across the country.
Leicestershire Rural County Library opened a year later at Loughborough College, than 8,000 volumes, and by the end of the decade sub-libraries were opened across Leicestershire, including Oadby, Hinckley, Melton Mowbray and Ashby de la Zouch.
Over 100 years later, the library service supports 53 libraries across Leicestershire including three mobile libraries delivering books to rural communities.
There is also an extensive online digital library offering e-books and e-audiobooks for loan, and libraries have also become important hubs for local communities, supporting popular initiatives such as Family Hubs and Wriggly Readers.
Now, a display delving into the history of Leicestershire’s libraries will be hitting the road, bringing the service’s history to people across the county.
Oadby plays host to the display in December, with all areas of Leicestershire covered throughout 2026:
- • December 2025 - Oadby Library
- • January 2026 - Earl Shilton Library
- • February - Lutterworth Library
- • March 2026 - Hinckley Library
- • April 2026 - Syston Library
- • May 2026 - Melton Library
- • June 2026 - Ashby Library
- • July 2026 - Coalville Library
- • August 2026 - Broughton Library
- • September 2026 - Blaby Library
- • October 2026 - Wigston Library
- • November 2026 - Market Harborough Library
“Libraries started out as a place to access books, but over the last 100 years they have become so much more than that. In some places they are the heart of a community.
“This display is our chance to recognise this service’s roots, and how more than 100 years later it helps to educate, entertain and enthral people.
“I hope people get a chance to take a trip to the library and enjoy looking at its history over the next year.”
Person:Councillor Kevin Crook, cabinet member for libraries
For more information about the library service, the tour of the display and upcoming events, visit the Libraries section of the website.