A WEEK-LONG series of events is to take place next month to mark a library’s 50th birthday.

Consett Library celebrates its golden anniversary and has lined up a number of talks and exhibitions to mark the milestone.

Paintings of the Four Seasons In Consett by Mary Kipling, which were created for the junior library in 1959, have been cleaned, framed and re-hung for the anniversary.

There will also be photographs, miniature models and exhibitions of Consett in years gone by.

A series of talks gets underway on Monday, July 6 at 6pm when John Milburn will discuss family history in the local area.

Other talks include Kevin McNamee of Castleside Historical Society, on the History of the Company on Tuesday, July 7 at 6pm and Michelle Ball, from Beamish Museum, with an opportunity to handle clothes and other objects from 50 years ago on Thursday, July 9 at 6pm.

A coffee morning is to be held on Saturday, July 11, when it is hoped that people who recall Consett in the past will share their memories with younger people.

There will also be a Memory Book for people to record their memories of how things were and how they have changed over the last 50 years.

Library group manager Liz Tavner said: "The golden anniversary is a major milestone in the history of the library and is an opportunity for younger and older generations to get together to explore their local heritage.

"We hope our celebration events will encourage even more people to join the library and discover all the different things we have to offer."