Minister Wayne Scott has hailed the importance of the Bermuda National Library as one of the Island’s oldest institutions marked its 175th birthday.

Yesterday he praised head librarian Joanne Brangman and her staff for their ’dedicated service’ to the community.

“Libraries play a fundamental role in society and are the gateways to knowledge and culture,” Minister Scott said. “Preserving our culture for future generations is therefore one of the most important functions of libraries.”

Bermuda’s first library was founded in 1839 by Governor William Reid and began with just 276 volumes, most of which had been donated by the Governor.

The library was housed in the Cabinet building and then moved to its current location in 1917.

Today it holds more than 100,000 volumes, an extensive website and its membership numbers around 30,000.

Yesterday’s celebration event was attended by Governor George Fergusson, US Consul Bob Settje as well as Government MP Susanne Jackson and PLP Senator Diallo Rabain.

“We are going to have a membership drive,” Ms Brangman, the head librarian, said. “A lot of people are busy these days and we would encourage people to renew their membership.”

The National Library will be holding an open day today and Ms Brangman urged people to attend the event.