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1960s experiences of the Library service in Crawley

My very first experience is being taken to Crawley Library was with my father in 1961-2. If I recall correctly it was in a large, anonymous government stone building on a mound just at the junction of what is now Haslett Avenue and the High Street on the same side as the old Crawley station by the level-crossing. It was not conducive to a kid looking for some reading matter

Not long after we went to the brand new library on Northgate Avenue with the children's section in the light and airy round building. I remember being given small hexagonal yellow plastic tokens probably for borrowing books.

A second generation librarian

Both of my parents worked in libraries, so you could say that they are in my blood. I suppose it was inevitable that I should choose librarianship as my career path too.Growing up, I was a regular at Saturday morning storytime in our local branch library in the Brighton area for many years. I think they had to keep increasing the target age range so that I could continue to attend. Afterwards I enjoyed choosing which books I would take home to read over the coming week and it was a big moment when I "graduated" from picture books chosen…

Reading newspapers in Littlehampton Library

In the 1960s I went to school in Littlehampton. At that time Littlehampton Library had a reading room with a quiet studious atmosphere and lots of wood. It felt like a privilege to be allowed in. There were racks with newspapers each hung on a rod. One took out the selected newspaper and carried it to a table to read. I thought that it was great to be able to read any paper one wanted to. Reading through those available I was able to decide which one I enjoyed. My parents took the Daily Mail, so that was out of…