A special open day to promote the wealth of information and resources available on Cardiff’s past will be held at Cathays Branch and Heritage Library next month.
On Friday, May 11, (11am – 3pm), a warm welcome will be extended to anyone with an interest in finding out more about the facilities and services on offer at theGrade II-listed library on Fairoak Road.
Home to the city’s Local Studies collectionsince April last year, the library provides access tolocal literature, historical maps, old photographs and newspapers as well asspecialised heritage activities alongside branch library facilities.
The free event will include workshops, ‘hands on history’ activities and opportunities for people to explore the heritage resources at the library.
Local schools will be attending craft activities and a treasure hunt while Cardiff Libraries’Bookstart co-ordinatorMargaret Holtwill lead a classic rhyme-time and former police detective and author, John Wake, will give an insight into crime in bygone Cardiff.
Information will also be available from the Friends of Cathays Cemetery, Glamorgan Family History and Glamorgan Archives, Cardiff Story Museum, Cardiff University and many more.
Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities, Cllr Lynda Thorne, said:
“Cathays Branch and Heritage Library is a very appropriate home for the city’s Local Studies collection. It’s a wonderful, old building with much better public access than the collection’s previous location and fantastic new technology that can help bring Cardiff’s past to life.
“The aim of our Open Day is to showcase these services to the public and encourage more people to make use of this asset in the community. With so many resources and knowledgeable staff, the library is well worth a visit for anyone ininterested in tracing their family history or finding out more about Cardiff from days gone by.
“Although the library is usually closed on Fridays, on May 11, the doors will be open and we looking forward to welcoming visitors in for their special open day.”
