TODAY we look back at the official opening of Clitheroe's public library.

Our trip down memory lane shows a photo of the grand unveiling of the library on October 21, 1905, watched by a crowd of thousands.

The ceremony was to have been performed by Lord Shuttleworth, of Gawthorpe, former MP for the Clitheroe division, but, because of his absence abroad, town clerk John Eastham stood in.

Scots-born American tycoon and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie gave £3,000 for the new building which took more than a year to complete.

Previously, the town's library occupied the ground floor of the adjoining town hall in Church Street.

The library movement in Clitheroe went back to the founding of the Mechanics' Institute in 1837, but, in 1844, its library closed and the library moved to the front room of a house in Parson Lane until the corporation adopted the Free Libraries Act in 1878.

In 1990 there was a major refurbishment and the library was extended into the adjacent building, the former town hall.

This building of around 1820 is also listed.

It was designed, in Gothic Revival style, by Thomas Rickman.

Rickman also worked on St Mary Magdalene's Church, Clitheroe.

Perhaps you have a tale to tell about the library.

Share your memories with ben.butler@nqnw.co.uk.