Read by name, read by nature... pensioner Veronica Read was so keen to be the first member of the public to see the £1.1 million refurbished Keighley library, she "camped" outside the iron gates for two hours before they opened.

The retired library worker armed herself with a portable stool and a flask of tea to await the grand opening at noon yesterday.

"I wanted to be the first - I have missed it so much," said Mrs Read, of Oakworth, who used to work in libraries in the Westminster area of London.

"I was disappointed it was closed for so long, but I'm so glad it is opening now. I'm very much looking forward to seeing inside."

The building had been closed for six months as Bradford Council craftsmen restored the inside to its original Arts and Crafts interior after repairing the roof.

The job also included cleaning the building's grime-encrusted stained glass windows.

Mark Roberts, of Altro Window Cleaning, said: "Every pane of glass had to be cleaned individually. This is one of the biggest jobs we've done."

Mrs Read was the first of about 100 people waiting in North Street to see features hidden for years by earlier alterations.

Among those at the official opening ceremony was Keighley East Labour councillor Malcolm Slater, who said: "It's a wonderful transformation.

"It is also very nostalgic for me because I first came here 60 years ago as a seven-year-old to get my first book - HG Wells's Little Wars."

Keighley town councillor Allan Rhodes said: "Waiting for the building to re-open has been an inconvenience but well worth it.

"It is impressive how technology has been dovetailed with tradition."

The 103-year-old Grade II listed building was officially opened by Bradford's Deputy Lord Mayor Councillor Elaine Byrom. She said: "This is a magnificent restoration and a wonderful centre of learning with new facilities such as more computers, a café, many new books and more resources in the local studies library."

Internally the building has been completely transformed, with a new heating system - with replica original radiators - and decoration in keeping with the design.

There is new furniture, shelving and more than £50,000 of new stock.

The building was originally opened in 1904 and was the first public library opened in England to be funded by the American millionaire Andrew Carnegie, who was a friend of Keighley businessman Sir Swire Smith. He gave £10,000 towards the cost and the rest was made up by the local authority.

email: clive.white@bradford.newsquest.co.uk

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