A LIBRARY will be celebrating its 60th birthday next week.

Thurrock residents are invited to join the celebrations at Blackshots Library in the week of Monday, May 13, to Saturday, May 18.

People are being invited to a special photographic display or listen to a talk about the area. On the Saturday (May 18) they can come along to a party and add their own memories to a collection.

During the week there is a chance to see a photographic display by Andrew Burt.

He will be there to chat about the display on Monday, May 13, from 2pm to 4pm, Tuesday, May 14, from 3pm to 5pm, Friday, May 17, from 10am to noon and Saturday, May 18, from 10am to 4pm.

On Saturday, May 18, you can enjoy a family day out with a cup of tea and a slice of birthday cake.

Schoolchildren have also been invited to design a bookmark on the theme of My Library and the winners will be announced on May 18 in the library.

The festivities run from 10am until 1pm and 2pm until 4pm.

Parents can bring along their children for special story times and at 2pm there is a chance to meet the mayor of Thurrock, Yash Gupta, and listen to Grays Town Band.

The library’s actual birthday is on Thursday, May 16, and on that day Jonathan Catton, Thurrock Council’s heritage and museums officer, will be giving a talk entitled The Amazing History of Blackshots, starting at 6pm at the library.

Tickets are free, but must be booked by calling the library on 01375 373244.