NOT many people know a mummy was once stored in the basement of Darlington library. It was eventually moved to a University, but for some time it was kept in a darkened room beneath unknowing library users.

It is perhaps the most peculiar fact that came to light during an access-all-areas tour of Darlington’s central library. The tour began in the original east wing of the Grade II listed building, where the original Victorian tiles and stained glass windows still decorate the entrance.

Vicky Emmerson, a senior librarian with 35 years’ experience, explained how the libraries in the town evolved from fee paying to free in the late 1800s thanks to leading Quaker, Edward Pease.

“He knew the importance of education in the world and he wanted to set up a free library in the town, but it wasn’t until he died in 1880 and left £10,000 to be used for a public library that it was made possible.

“When the library first opened it really was the centre of attention. The town was jam packed with people who turned out in their hundreds to watch the official opening. It was the same again when the building was extended in 1933 and reopened.”

Vicky led our group through the bright and airy art gallery, out of a side door and down a flight of stairs. The basement is broken up into what seems like dozens of rooms. Maze-like and meticulously organised, the space is somewhere you could easily lose track of time.

We wandered around the archive area where we found a detailed drawing of the extension, skilfully built to complement the original brickwork. The Crown Street building is home to an extensive archive of material from copies of old newspapers to first and rare editions of books. Some, like a 17th century bible, are so delicate the room has to be kept at a certain temperature to protect the binding.

In between the rolling stacks we discovered that nearly every library stores part of a national collection. Crown Street is responsible for all authors with the surname beginning with Dim through to Dos. Reams of books aside, we found a large black antique-looking safe, but what’s kept inside remains a mystery. As does the reason behind how a mummy ended up being stored underground in Darlington’s town centre.

Aside from a flood in 2005 that caused some damage to the basement, everything seems to be in good sturdy condition, and you can tell it’s been well looked after. The original 19th century shelves, complete with iron handles and foot bars to reach the top, are testament to the fact that the library was built to last.

As the tour continued and the realisation of just how much the library stored dawned on us all, the elephant in the room reared its head - the huge financial cutbacks at Darlington Borough Council which have led to the proposed closure of the town's Crown Street, Cockerton and mobile libraries and the moving of resources to the Dolphin Centre.

“Where will all of this go if it shuts then?” said one visitor. It was a question Vicky wasn’t able to answer.

Even the most regular of library visitors might find it hard to get their heads around the sheer scale of the historical and cultural treasures in the library that not only give insight into Darlington’s rich history, but the region’s.

The library is much more than a book lending service, it’s a window to years gone by, an educational tool, a safe haven for priceless historical artefacts and part of Darlington’s cultural fabric.

*The heritage tours were launched to celebrate World Book Day on Thursday, March 3, and will take place daily at 10am and 2pm until Saturday, March 5. Places must be booked in advance. Contact 01325-349630.