Tulip Siddiq MP and Victoria Coren Mitchell were among the guests at Belsize Library’s birthday party

THOUSANDS of books read and returned and decades of a warm, safe space for learning: the Belsize Library celebrated its 90th birthday on Thursday and was unusually noisy as friends came to wish the much-loved institution many happy returns.

The event brought together volunteers who keep the library operating three days a week, members of the Winch community centre who oversee its management, Hampstead and Highgate MP Tulip Siddiq and author Victoria Coren Mitchell, who uses the library.

Ms Coren Mitchell, the host of tough BBC quiz Only Connect, told the party that a library was the cornerstone of any community.

She said: “The library is for future gener­ations, but we were also given it by previous generations. We were given it to look after, and more fool us if we don’t.”

Silence please? Not tonight, the big 90th celebration in full swing

Ms Siddiq thanked The Winch for their help keeping the library open.

She said: “We are very proud to have so many different communities gathered here, reading books together. We are really grateful. “You meet people who mention the Winch, they mention the work that has been done there and how pleased they are.”

Winch CEO Rashid Iqbal added: “Reaching 90 years is an amazing achievement, but our main focus tonight is ensuring this space remains open and thriving for the next generation.”