Lindley Library is situated in North West Huddersfield and is renowned for its great community events, services, and wonderful 'extra library features'. This library has more to it than meets the eye...and we love the idea of always having a jigsaw on the go!

Tell us about your library and the area it sits in.

We are a small community library in Lindley village on the outskirts of Huddersfield in Yorkshire. We are based in a 19th century Mechanics Hall in an area which was once famous for its wool industry. Lindley is a beautiful area with many independent shops and a thriving community.

Describe your library in three words.

Warm, friendly and helpful.

Apart from plenty of reading material, what other services does your library provide?

We have computers available for public use, printing facilities, reading groups, a current affairs group and a knit and natter group. We also have a family history group along with ancestry sessions. Yoga and nordic walking groups use our library space (the walkers are given a cuppa when they return!). Baby rhyme time, craft and story time and lego club cater to our younger patrons. We always have a jigsaw on the go for everyone to do - this is a staff favourite! A Creative Writing Group meet here regularly. We are very proud of our peaceful garden where anyone can sit and relax - featuring tadpoles!

What is the strangest book-related question your team has been asked?

A lady asked if we had a book for wild flowers. We showed her books on our shelves about wild flowers but she said that they weren't what she wanted. She chose a large, heavy volume on an unrelated subject and said that it was perfect. It turns out that she wanted it to press wild flowers she had picked earlier in the day!

If you were to become a character from a book for the day, who would it be and why?

One of our staff members (Jenny) chose Matilda because she would love to have magic powers for a day and summon exactly the right book a customer needs!

What’s the biggest surprise about working in a library?

That it's not just about books. It's about people meeting, getting to know each other, and learning new things together. In short, it's about community.

What are your top three must reads?

Persuasion by Jane Austen

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Collected Poems by Ted Hughes

What is your favourite book from your childhood, and why did you love it?

Little Women. Oh! the romance.  (Brenda - volunteer)

Why are libraries such a vital link in our communities?

We have excellent connections with our local schools and community groups.  Our library is a place where everyone is welcome and almost anything is possible.  We encourage any activity which brings people together and helps them to make new friends and learn new things. We are also fountains of knowledge and can tell you anything from how to trace your family tree to where is best to go for your tea!

You can follow Lindley Library on social media: 

Web:www.kirklees.gov.uk/libraries

Facebook: @LindleyLibrary

Twitter: @LindleyLibrary

If you enjoyed this, why not read our other Library of the month features?