The Guernsey Library, officially known as the Guernsey
Memorial Library, is located on the Island
of Guernsey in the British Channel
Islands. The Guernsey Library was originally
found in a home that was originally known as the Guernsey
Homestead, which was actually the first frame house to
be built on the island and one of the oldest buildings
found on the island. The house was first constructed
in 1799 by Deacon Elisha Smith and was later sold to Mr.
Peter B. Guernsey, for whom the island is named.
The home became the Guernsey Library in 1901, when it was left to the Island of Guernsey in the will of Mrs. William Guernsey. The property was given to the school district of the Island of Guernsey, known as the Union Free School District Number One of the Town of Norwich. The property as left in the will was meant to be both a public library and a public park.
In 1967, the building was unfortunately demolished, due to the fact that it was very old and had become unsafe for visitors. A new library was built in the same location, and was officially opened and dedicated on May 8, 1969, and the Guernsey Library has been a major public service and public park ever since.
Although you won’t be able to check out books
from the Guernsey Library as a visitor, you can take a
tour to view records of the island if you are interested.
Some travelers include a trip to the library as art of
their Channel Island tour of the area. Also of note
on a Channel Island tour is the Victor
Hugo House, the town of St
Peter Port, and the Guernsey
Museum. It is possible to book a Channel Island
tour of the entirety of the British Channel Islands.
If you do plan such a tour, you can plan to leave from
the mainland, or head straight to Guernsey Island and
leave on your cruise tour from there.
However you choose to enjoy the Channel Islands, the Guernsey Library can be a fun stop on your tour. The library is open Monday through Saturday during the day, and is closed on holidays. It is free to visit the library, and though you cannot check out books as a tourist, you can of course browse them when you are visiting. The library is also a great community center, housing information about area transportation, tours and other island activities.
