The new public library at Lower Hillhead in Lerwick will be formally opened on Saturday 11th December by author Ann Cleeves.
Ann will cut a ribbon on the main door at 10am and will be meeting customers as well as doing book signings in the morning and afternoon. She will be joined by Council Convener Malcolm Bell and George Smith, Chair of the Education and Families Committee, to declare the building officially open.
Ann has launched most of her eight Shetland crime novels featuring Jimmy Perez at Shetland Library and is a great advocate for library services. Shetland Library has also featured as a location in the ‘Shetland’ TV series inspired by her books.
Shetland writers are being celebrated as part of the opening day, with at least two launches of new books taking place in the library. Charlie Simpson launches his essay collection In Days Gone By, and Barbara Fraser launches Aye Someane Deid, Aye Someane Boarn, a collection of fiction and reminiscences in Shetland dialect. The Shetland Times bookshop will be there, selling copies of books by all the authors.
Because of Covid-19, the opening events are designed to avoid overcrowding, being dispersed around the building. There will also be social media activity during the day, and Ann Cleeves will select the winners in a prize draw for signed copies of books.
Shetland Library recently reopened after months of refurbishment and modernisation work on the 1960s building at Lower Hillhead.