IT HAS been serving the local community since the dawn of the Sixties and is renowned for bringing people together.

But celebrations marking Totton Library's 60th birthday tomorrow<THURS> will take place online because the building has been closed since the lockdown began in March.

The birthday party will begin at 11am with an event called Live Rhymetime followed by a craft video at noon and a similar event for children at 2pm.

At 3pm locals will be able to join staff singing Happy Birthday to the library. A children's craft video at 4pm will be followed by Live Storytime at 5.30pm.

Daily Echo:

An online message to readers says: "We will be filling your feed with library love on Thursday for our 60th birthday.

"The Storytime will be LIVE so do join us with your toys before it disappears.

"Throughout the day there will be posts we hope you'll get involved with. Let's spread a little love for libraries on Thursday."

Hampshire County Council has marked the building's birthday by releasing photographs taken on the day it opened - May 7 1960.

One of the people who took to social media after the images appeared said: "That's how I remember my beloved library. I am sure I learned to read in the children's room. I have been a member for 55 years."

Daily Echo:

Cllr Sean Woodward is the county council's member for recreation and heritage.

He said: "We are very pleased to celebrate the birthday of Totton Library, which has now enjoyed 60 lively years of bringing people together for reading, learning and community activities.

"Although library buildings are currently closed because of coronavirus, this has not stopped readers from engaging with our libraries, as our numbers of digital users show.

"Our customers engage more and more with our growing library of digital books and magazines, and many are also taking part in our online activities – the birthday celebrations being a great example.”

Two years ago the library was given a facelift costing more than £360,000.

Speaking at the time the county council's then leader, Cllr Roy Perry, said: "These new and refurbished facilities will bring the library right up to date – ensuring it’s modern, vibrant and fit for the future."