The Garrison Library was founded in

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in 1793 by Captain (later Colonel)

John Drinkwater Bethune Colonel John Drinkwater Bethune (1762–1844), born John Drinkwater, was an English army officer, administrator and military historian, known for his account of the Great Siege of Gibraltar that came out in 1785. Origins Born at Latchford on 9 ...

History

Constructed on the site of the Governors’ residence during the Spanish occupation of Gibraltar, the library was officially opened in 1804 by the

Duke of Kent Duke of Kent is a title that has been created several times in the peerages of Great Britain and the United Kingdom, most recently as a royal dukedom for the fourth son of King George V. Since 1942, the title has been held by Prince Edwar ...

. In 1823 the library's fees were "100 hard dollars" which was paid by the 150 proprietors of the "Commercial Library". Each proprietor was entitled to borrow one large or three smaller books or an entire set of a novel for one to two weeks. In exchange they had to also pay 16 dollars per year. This was a commercial affair and membership of the library could be bought or sold. The thirteen members of the committee were elected annually and the library was to be open seven days a week with both winter and summer hours. The library served as the headquarters and archive service of the ''

Gibraltar Chronicle The ''Gibraltar Chronicle'' is a national newspaper published in Gibraltar since 1801. It became a daily in 1821. It is Gibraltar's oldest established daily newspaper and the world's second oldest English language newspaper to have been in pri ...

'', the world's second oldest English language newspaper. The Library was established for and by the officers of the Garrison of Gibraltar. It has remained a private entity run by a Trust for over two hundred yearsGibraltar Garrison Library Minute Books and 200th Anniversary Commemorative Booklet, 2004 up until, September 2011, at which point the Library was transferred to the

Government of Gibraltar His Majesty's Government of Gibraltar is the democratically elected government of the British Overseas Territory of Gibraltar. The head of state is King Charles III who is represented by the Governor. Elections in Gibraltar are held every four ...

Description

The Garrison is a library of 45,000 books, including many rare volumes. This library exists to hold the collection which includes good coverage of the subjects of culture and travel. The library was started to occupy officers stationed in Gibraltar. It has an excellent local history collection. Many lithographs and art prints are held here and many of the furnishings have interesting historical backgrounds. In 2006 the editorial offices of the ''

'' moved to new premises in ''

Watergate House The Watergate scandal was a major political scandal in the United States involving the administration of President Richard Nixon from 1972 to 1974 that led to Nixon's resignation. The scandal stemmed from the Nixon administration's continual ...

'', and the print works relocated in 2007 to ''

New Harbours New is an adjective referring to something recently made, discovered, or created. New or NEW may refer to: Music * New, singer of K-pop group The Boyz Albums and EPs * ''New'' (album), by Paul McCartney, 2013 * ''New'' (EP), by Regurgitator ...

''. The Chronicle's archive currently remains at the Garrison Library, as does the records of the more recent Panorama newspaper. The dragon tree in the library's front garden is thought to date from the Spanish occupation when the plant was introduced to Gibraltar by mariners who brought the seeds from the Canary Islands.

Gallery

References

External links

* {{Authority control Libraries in Gibraltar 1793 establishments in the British Empire Articles containing video clips 1793 establishments in Europe