Stromness Library has a long history serving the community of the town and surrounds. It moved from the building now occupied by Solisquoy Printmakers at 2 Hellihole Road, where it had been since 1905, to a multipurpose facility in 2015 , the Warehouse Buildings.
In its early days the Stromness Library had a Committee overseeing it. In 1924, the Treasurer J.A.S. Brown was able to report that it was in a sound financial position. Funding was provided locally of £51 made up of £17 from Stromness parish and £34 from the Burgh council.
In 1930 a service counter was added to the Stromness Library at Hellihole at the cost of £30. In just two more years the library service provided by Stromness was merged with that of Kirkwall and managed by the County Education Department.
In 1935 over 400 new books were added to those available for borrowers and others had been rebound. It was open Wednesday afternoons and Saturday evening with membership cards free.
Stromness Library was able to add extensively to its books in 1948 when librarian Mr P.L. Esson used that opportunity to encourage new readers to join as members. Donations of books were always welcome. In 1907 10 volumes were donated by Alexander Russell, first assistant of Stromness Public School.
One of the most popular books to be borrowed from the library in the first half of the 20th century in Stromness was ‘The Pilots of Pomona’ by Robert Leighton. This was a tale of two rival Stromness pilots in the days of sail. The book is still available today from Forgotten Books, The Great British Bookshop and in the Orkney Library, Kirkwall.
“On a certain bright morning in the month of May, 1843, the little port of Stromness wore an aspect of unwonted commotion. The great whaling fleet that every year sailed from this place for the Greenland fisheries was busily preparing for sea. The sun was shining over the brown hills of Orphir, and casting a golden sheen over the calm bay. Out beyond the Holms the whaling ships lay at anchor, the Blue Peter flying at each forepeak, and between them and the town many boats were passing to and fro.”
Today’s Stromness Library is located in the first building in the islands to be fitted with a sea-source heat pump, which uses warmth absorbed from Stromness harbour to provide heating for the buildings.
The building provides a point of contact for Orkney Islands Council Services, other local organisations, and rooms where exhibitions and meetings can take place.
The Library is on two floors with a lift available as well as a staircase to the upper level. The children’s section and IT area is on the ground floor.
And of course always available are the very helpful librarians who can inform you about all manner of things – even the plants on the shelf. The Stromness library is a delightful place to visit where you might even meet Nigel.
Fiona Grahame
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