The wood came from distant lands, borne here on mighty ships. It was shaped and polished by skilled carpenters, the shelves pieced together by professional joiners and installed by trained decorators.

The stone came from the local quarries, hacked out of the living rock by the labourers' rough hands. It was carved by volunteer artists, raised into place by the community's strong arms, and smoothed by the touch of each passing hand.

The gold came from the people's houses, each surrendering what they had for the beautification of our library. Family heirlooms and hoarded coins were willingly brought together, melted together, their new forms chosen together.

And the books? The books came from our hearts.