May 1908

The 'News and Magazine Reading Room' was opened at the new public library. 'As considerable annoyance was caused to the readers, as a whole, by persons monopolising certain papers for what seemed to be an unfair length of time, the committee were compelled to pass a rule limiting the time for retaining any paper or magazine to fifteen minutes.' The first opening hours were: 10am to 1pm, 2pm to 4.30pm and 6pm to 8.30pm.

The museum opened on the first floor of the public library, having moved from the old premises on Skipton Road.

The first council meeting was held in the new council chamber in May 1908. In July of the following year, Ilkley hosted the the conference of the Association of Urban District Councils, England and Wales.

20th July 1908

The lending library was opened to the public with a stock of 3,584 volumes. It had a staff of 3 with Mr. William Graham as Librarian. In the first 8 months it recorded 32,203 loans and had enrolled almost 25% of the population including many who had opposed the idea. Visitors and residents of outlying districts including Addingham, Middleton, Denton and Asquith were allowed to borrow books on the payment of 2d. per volume on condition that they obtain the guarantee of a ratepayer.

Sept 1908

The reference department of the library was opened with a stock of 440 volumes.

Jan 1909

A book club was formed to supply subscribers with a selection of the latest published books. The books were transferred to the library shelves 12 months after purchase.

June 1909

Books were purchased in lots from the Wells Road Library collection. The subscription library could no longer compete with the new public library.

1910

Carnival Procession, c.1910.The procession assembles outside the Town Hall prior to its progress through the town to the Holmes fields. The President of the Carnival was Revd F Sinker, vicar of All Saints Church.

Dec 1912

Rober Collyer died 8 days before his 89th birthday. His collection of Yorkshire books was sent to the Ilkley Public Library as he had promised. Many of the books bear Collyer's book plate. It includes within a shield a horse-shoe, an arm and hand bearing a hammer, which reaches out to an anvil and a blacksmith's fire. Above is the name Robert Collyer and below the couplet:

By hammer and hand;
All things do stand.

The foundation stone for the Winter Gardens was laid in the same month; the building was completed during the following year.

October 1913

The old Museum Estate and Building were sold in October 1913 for a sum of £450, which, after paying off the balance of the loan on the Old Museum (£203) was applied towards the reduction of the loan indebtedness on the Public Library furnishing.

1914

Mr William Graham the librarian prepared a catalogue of the 259 volumes of Yorkshire books in the Collyer collection.

April 1937

The neighbouring Urban Districts of Burley and Menston were amalgamated with Ilkley. The branches of the County Library at Burley and Menston were discontinued and part time branch libraries of the Ilkley were provided there in the same premises (Burley, The Grange; Menston, The Council School)

April 1942

Mr William Graham, Chief Librarian since the opening of Ilkley Library dies aged 60. His obituary in the the Ilkley Gazette reads: 'By the death of Mr. Wiliam Graham, the Chief Librarian of Ilkley, the town has just lost one of its oldest and most conscientious public servants.'

Mr Graham was born in 1882 in Gateshead. He was appointed librarian on the opening of the library in Ilkley in 1907 where he worked for nearly 35 years. 'his quiet, thoughtful and well balanced counsel was highly valued...he never sought the limelight but many had reason to thank him for the tactful education they received at his hands in the running of this valued public service. In his private life, Mr. Graham was not unaquainted with grief and anxiety, but he bore his trials with a quality of courage and faith which everyone deeply respected and admired.'

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