THE museum at Wellington Barracks is now closed but builders working to convert the old Arts and Crafts Centre into the new Fusilier Museum are making steady progress.

Away from the busy building site which is due to be handed over to the museum in the New Year, Joyce Fowler is one of the many unsung heroes who are working quietly in the background preparing the collection for display.

She is working on a particular aspect, which is seldom mentioned — but which is a valuable and enviable resource.

“Not many people realise the extent of the library that the museum has assembled since it first opened in the 1930s.” said museum curator Mike Glover.

“Joyce has been working devotedly with the books over several years and now knows more about the range of titles and authors than any of us; she is also a lovely lad’s spirits up and is great fun to have around.”

The library is effectively part of the museum’s archive and when cataloguing is complete will be available to members of the public who wish to undertake research.

When the new museum opens at the end of April, the library will be housed in the dedicated archive area.

People wishing to consult the books or other records in the archive will need to make an appointment and volunteers will be recruited to augment the museum staff and will supervise access.

Further details about this, the museum development or to make a donation visit the website fusiliersmuseum-lancashire.org.uk. For any other information call 0161 764 2208.