Four generations of book fans celebrate a new library opening in Salford

Yes, you did read that correctly.

In these austere times it's great news to hear that a new library has opened. Not only that, a love of books shared over four generations of the same family brought an added sense of occasion when the library was launched yesterday.

It's part of a £5m project in Swinton - the Gateway Hub - which will also include a new Children’s Centre, health and other community services in a state of the art glass fronted building. 

Eileen Kilbourn (59), from Swinton, thinks she has read over 1,000 books so far (and counting) and her love of reading, shared by her mother, Bridget (86), has been passed down to her daughter Katie (32), and now her grandson Luke (2). Between them they represent one hundred years of a love affair with books which no doubt will be continued with the next generation of the family.

'I have always loved books,' said Eileen. 'It’s a great way to escape, experience new adventures.'

'I have always read to my children at bedtime and encouraged them to read as many books as possible. My enjoyment has rubbed off on Katie and Luke and I am sure it will be a lifetime obsession for them too. We have all been members of the library for as long as I can remember and I have been coming to the story rhymetime sessions for years, first with my nephew, James, and now with Luke, who also loves it. “We can’t wait to start using the new library in the Gateway.'

Eileen will be heading for the Maeve Binchy section, as she is her favourite author, while Luke is currently enjoying books as varied as Beatrix Potter’s Peter Rabbit tales and Sam Hall’s hilarious picture book, ‘Trumpy Trevor.’

The new Swinton library offers free wi-fi, exhibition space, community meetings rooms, and free public access to computers. It opens from 8.30am to 6pm Monday to Friday and on Saturdays from 9am to 1pm initially, with extended hours as more services come on stream.