History
The Library was founded in 1884 with just 25 items listed in its catalogue and, thanks to new acquisitions, bequests and donations, it prospered and was keenly used. In 1961, in recognition of great service to the Association, the library’s title became ‘The H.P. Young Memorial Library’. Later, with the permanent loan of Frank Vernon’s slide collection and the addition of videos and tapes to the library, the “Frank Vernon Audio-Visual Library” became part of HBA’s library.
Now the library is home to over 800 volumes relating to bees and beekeeping together with collections of periodicals, lecture transcripts, monographs, government publications, audiovisual material and historic archive material relating to beekeeping in Hampshire. There are also sections containing bee books for children, honey cookery books and even bee-themed fiction has a place.
Location
Over the years the library has had a number of ‘homes’, but since 2015 it has been housed at The Sustainability Centre, Droxford Road, East Meon, GU32 1HR (see link below).
ContacT
The Library Room at the Sustainability Centre is open by appointment. Please contact the librarian, Avril Tillman, who can be contacted on 01329 286839 or 07804 819443 or email djtillman3@outlook.com.
The Library Room, although small, does offer facilities for private study and research. In cases of difficulty visiting the Library Room, and if you know what books you are interested in, arrangements can be made with the Librarian for delivery or collection at meetings or via other members.