The Gibraltar Garrison Library is one of the most imposing buildings in Gibraltar. The present stone-built Regency building, with its surrounding gardens, was constructed between 1800 and 1804, but the Library itself was founded in 1793 at the suggestion of Captain (later Colonel) John Drinkwater, the author of the most famous eye-witness account of the Siege, who had suffered the boredom of having nothing to read during his service on the Rock during the Great Siege. When he returned to Gibraltar, he got to work: subscriptions were raised, 500 books were donated by officers of the Garrison, and rooms were rented (later described as “old and inconvenient”), probably in or near Convent Place.

By 1799 it was clear that new premises were needed, and subscriptions were raised, but these were returned when Prince Frederick, the Commander-in-Chief (the Grand Old Duke of York) had a chat with the Prime Minister, William Pitt the Younger, who agreed that the Crown should foot the bill. The grateful Committee planned to erect a bust of Pitt, but this somehow never materialised, and an empty niche remains in the front wall of the building.

The building, designed by Col. Fyers, the Chief Engineer and for many years Librarian, was opened in 1804. For many years admission was restricted to officers only, who used it not only as a library, but held balls in it, and a billiards room and racquet court were also on the premises, giving rise to the local name for Library Ramp – Ball Alley (el Balali).

For many years (from 1801) the Library Committee published Gibraltar’s first and most important newspaper, the Gibraltar Chronicle, which had its first “scoop” when it reported the death of Nelson and the victory at Trafalgar, long before the news reached England. The Editor and Deputy Librarian for over fifty years was Charles Bouisson, a French emigré. The Chronicle was sold in 1992 to a Trust made up of its Heads of Departments. 

With the reduction in the military presence in Gibraltar, the Library was unable to survive financially, and a few years ago it was transferred to the Government of Gibraltar when the latter agreed to maintain it as a research library.

The Library, with its unequalled collection of books, has thus continued to be available to anyone who is interested in researching the history of Gibraltar or many other subjects. Numerous books and theses have been published based on work done using the facilities of the Library, which provides a unique resource for researchers. It is also a venue for the yearly Literary Festivals. It is open five days a week to all. The days of excusivity are long over.