About Onchan Library

The library is situated in the heart of the village, within easy walking distance for most of the Onchan community. There are bus stops close by at The Manx Arms Hotel. Parking is available behind the library, and in Onchan District Commissioners car park, just a few yards away.

The History of Onchan Library

Bishop Wilson founded Libraries in every parish on the Island, and an act of Tynwald in 1732 made clergy responsible for the care and cataloguing of the books. There was a total stock of 41 books for Onchan, but one book was recorded as being missing in the Parish Register for 1799 - 'lost in ye carriage from Bishop's Court'.

The first lending library for Onchan came in 1944, proposed by Onchan Commissioner, Mr J H Nicholls. Members of Mr Nicholl's family still use the library today. Onchan Library started life from the Commissioners' offices in Hawthorn Villa with donated books, and books on loan from The Rural Library. An £18.00 donation from The Petty Officer's Mess at HMS St George bought 360 books in those days, and there were gifts from The Military Hospital based at The Majestic Hotel as well.

His Excellency the Lieutenant Governor and his wife, the Countess Granville officially opened the new Onchan Library. He said that the library would be a help to the people of the district, and he hoped it would become still larger.

The library outgrew Hawthorn House in 1969, and moved next door to Hebron Hall. By April 1982, the library had moved again to more spacious new premises in Beech House. A purpose-designed library was later built on the site of Willow Cottage, and the library moved to Willow House in 1989.

The library proudly celebrated its Diamond Jubilee in 2004. Onchan Library’s book tree logo reflects how the library has grown over the years, and rooted in the community. It also links the tree theme from our previous homes, and Willow House too.

Librarians