History
The Library was founded in 1884 with just 25 items listed in the catalogue. It was keenly used and quickly prospered thanks to new acquisitions, bequests and donations. In 1961, in recognition of great service to the Hampshire Association, the library 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, the Frank Vernon Audio-Visual Library was added.
Now the library contains over 800 volumes relating to bees and beekeeping together with collections of periodicals, lecture transcripts, monographs, government publications, audiovisual and archive material relating to beekeeping in Hampshire. There are also sections containing bee books for children, honey cookery and even bee-themed fiction.
Location
The library is housed at the Sustainability Centre, Droxford Road, East Meon, GU32 1HR.
Contact
The Library at the Sustainability Centre is usually open every Wednesday from 2pm to 6pm but arrangements can be made to visit at other times. The librarian, Avril Tillman, can be contacted on 01329 286839 or 07804 819443 or emailed at djtillman3@outlook.com.
The Library Room, although small, does offer facilities for private study and research. In cases of difficulty visiting the library, 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.
Meridian Beekeepers’ Association 