This World Book Day, Thursday 6 March, marks 20 years since Jubilee Library opened its doors for the first time.
The opening followed a long wait for a central, purpose-built library for Brighton & Hove and was an immediate hit with 2,000 people visiting within the first two hours, and queues of people waiting hours to get a peek inside.
On the first Saturday the building was open, the library became so crowded that the doors had to be closed temporarily and a one in, one out system was deployed. The toilets stopped flushing from over-use and the public lift seized up.
More than 3,000 new members joined Brighton & Hove libraries within the first 2 weeks and the library was visited 810,000 times in its first year, with 23,000 new members.
Twenty years later, Jubilee Library is still bustling with activity and continues to be one of the top 10 most popular libraries in the country.
In the year 2023/24, Jubilee Library received 830,274 visits, 2,370 per day, and loaned 218,720 items. Around 50% of all the city’s library transactions take place at Jubilee Library.
Award winning design
The development of Jubilee Library and Jubilee Street was a fresh page for a formerly unattractive car park and a regeneration opportunity for the North Laine area.
The library’s cathedral like interior with double height ceilings was inspired by Paris Libraries – the Bibliotheque National and Bibliotheque Saint Genevieve.
It has been described as one of the most energy-efficient structures in England with carbon footprint half that of a traditional public building of comparable size.
The glass frontage and solar shading were designed to make the best use of natural light and wind, the heating and cooling of the building is based on a TermoDeck system of hollow core concrete planks, and a 10,000-litre rainwater collecting tank is used for flushing the toilets.
Jubilee Library won 14 awards, including the Prime Minister’s Better Public Building Award, the Royal Institute of British Architects RIBA Regional Award and the International Green Apple Awards 2006 for the Built Environment and Architectural Heritage.
A safe space for everyone
In 2019 Jubilee Library became the second library in the country to be awarded Library of Sanctuary status.
The ‘Libraries of Sanctuary’ initiative has been set up recognise good practice of libraries which create welcoming and inclusive spaces for people seeking sanctuary, fleeing violence or persecution and other new arrivals into their community.
The award was extended to our entire library service in 2024.
Celebrate with our libraries
Silver Strings band
11am to 11.45am, Thursday 6 March, Jubilee Library
On World Book Day Thursday 6 March, Silver Strings Brighton’s very own adult string band, will be playing at Jubilee Library. Drop-in and celebrate with us and view a display about Jubilee Library’s history in the library foyer until Sunday 9th March.
Celebrating with young readers
To celebrate World Book Day 2025 and the 20th anniversary of Jubilee Library, Brighton & Hove Libraries will welcome award-winning children’s author Alex Falase-Koya and pupils from Queen’s Park Primary School for a special ‘meet the author’ event.
The children have been reading ‘Marv and the Killer Plants’ from Alex’s hit superhero series together in class as part of a project funded by the Libraries Legacy Fund and are excited to meet the author in person.
Share a memory
Do you remember the first time you stepped into Jubilee Library? Share the details of your first visit by writing in the comments book accompanying the Jubilee Library’s history display in the library’s foyer.
Your memories will then be included in the library archive.
A beating heart of our city
Council Leader Bella Sankey said: “In times when people desperately crave third spaces, when it’s hard to leave your house without spending money, when it’s difficult to find support and build meaningful connections, our Jubilee Library shines.
“Equally important now as it was 20 years ago, Jubilee Library provides a safe and welcoming space for everyone – readers, students, crafters, coffee lovers, young families, newcomers to the city, people seeking support, community or even just a warm space to relax in.
“With its passionate staff, wonderful premises, fantastic variety of stock, a cosy café and even a Business & IP Centre, Jubilee is the beating heart of our city.
“I am grateful to all staff, volunteers, visitors, groups and communities whose love and care made Jubilee Library a success over the two decades, may there be many more to come.
“Happy 20th birthday, Jubilee Library!”
- To find out more about events and activities taking place in March please visit our Events in libraries webpage.
image credit: Brighton & Hove family Grapevine
