Community invited to join cake cutting, children’s crafts, and celebrations at
historic Carnegie Library
Stamford Library is marking a major milestone this month as it celebrates its 120th anniversary - with a special birthday party taking place on Saturday 24 January 2026.
The community is invited to join in the celebrations from 10am, with the official cutting of the birthday cake taking place at 11am. Children can also take part in birthday-themed crafts and activities, making it a fun event for all the family.
As it celebrates 120 years, the team at Stamford Library is also reflecting on the building’s remarkable history. The site was originally home to the White Lion Inn before becoming a bustling butchers’ market in the early 19th century. Between 1804 and 1808, the distinctive Portico was built to house more than 50 butchers’ stalls, alongside a fish and butter market, as well as facilities for the town’s fire engine and a watchhouse that later became a police station.
In 1903, plans were put forward to transform the Portico into a free public lending library, made possible by a grant from Scottish-born businessman and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. His donation - which eventually totalled £2,500 - helped convert the historic market building into a library, on the condition that the Borough Council committed to maintaining it for future generations. The library officially opened on 25 January 1906, following a grand civic procession through the town.
Today, the Grade II listed Carnegie library continues to play a vital role in community life. In 2025, 134,660 people visited Stamford Library, borrowing 119,343 items. The modern service also offers free computer and WiFi access, which recorded more than 23,000 hours of use last year.
Nicola Rogers, Library Partnership Manager, said: “We’re proud to celebrate 120 years of Stamford Library. It’s not just a beautiful historic building, but a welcoming space at the heart of the community that continues to bring people together.”
Stamford Library is run by GLL, the not-for-profit social enterprise, on behalf of Lincolnshire County Council. GLL run core and mobile libraries across the county as well as supporting 34 community hubs.