WINTON Library on Wimborne Road, Bournemouth, will be celebrating its 110th birthday this Thursday.

In 1906 a site for a library at Winton was given to the town by the Earl of Leven and Melville to replace a temporary newsroom.

The following year on October 26 a new library was opened by the Mayor, Alderman J Parsons costing £15,000. It was the first permanent library building in the borough.

In 1927 the Home Bindery was transferred to the library and a few years later the premises was enlarged.

Winton Library changed to a computerised issue system in 1972 and two year later after local government reorganisation Bournemouth Libraries became part of Dorset County Council.

An access ramp for the disabled was added to the building and in 1993 the library had a major refit.

By 1997 with another local government reorganisation Bournemouth Libraries became part of Bournemouth Borough Council again.

Today Winton Library is a Grade II listed building and has a Children's Centre attached in the former bindery.

"There were over 72,000 visits made at the library last year and the library has a well used IT suite and also hosts a popular weekly job club," said Medi Bernard, Library Service Manager of Bournemouth and Poole Libraries.

"On Thursday there will be a coffee morning from 11am and a display of Kelly's directories and Winton photos through the years, as well as a cake with Winton Library printed on it. In the afternoon there will be a drop-in session for children to play games from over the years as well as a craft session to make your own cup and ball game. So come along and join in the fun".