Founders of Leadhills Miners Library in 1741 never knew it would be both Britain’s oldest subscription library and the world’s first library for working people. Paisley & District u3a members will find out about this pioneering resource on Thursday 7 July. Guest speaker and Leadhills Heritage Trust chair, Dr John Crawford shares how this library also practiced lifelong learning. The ‘Mutual Improvement’ model spread to Paisley, and across Scotland, as part of this library’s local and national legacy. The free talk starts at 2pm in the Salvation Army Hall, Mill Street, Paisley Please join us for refreshments from 1.30pm.
Chair Kathy O’Donnell said: ‘We can forget that ordinary people rarely had access to a local library centuries ago. Yet libraries open a gateway to knowledge and opportunity. We want to hear the amazing story of Leadhills Miners Library and how it changed lives.’
Dr John Crawford remarked: “Leadhills Miners’ Library made skills development possible for ordinary people, an idea which continues today in modern public libraries.”
Details of local u3a activities and groups at: https://u3asites.org.uk/paisley/welcome