Tell us about your library memories

Share your library memories and experience

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  Still thrilling!

  by Wendy J, about 1 year ago
  Born and raised in Essex, my first memory of the Library was being taken by my Mum to borrow children's books from Rayleigh library. I loved to sit on the small plastic chairs, flicking through the books and 'oh the thrill' of walking home with an arm full. Not to mention to the wonderful 'thud thud' sound of the the librarian stamping our books and card. Sheer joy.

  Having moved to Sussex and adopted two young children, I wanted them to experience the same thrill, and we began visiting Haywards Heath library. I was not disappointed and nor where they... Continue reading

  Born and raised in Essex, my first memory of the Library was being taken by my Mum to borrow children's books from Rayleigh library. I loved to sit on the small plastic chairs, flicking through the books and 'oh the thrill' of walking home with an arm full. Not to mention to the wonderful 'thud thud' sound of the the librarian stamping our books and card. Sheer joy.

  Having moved to Sussex and adopted two young children, I wanted them to experience the same thrill, and we began visiting Haywards Heath library. I was not disappointed and nor where they although sadly the 'thud thud' had now been replaced by modern scanners.
  The kids are now grown up but I visit the library regularly and still get a thrill every time I walk in those doors. I am not a quick reader so thankful for the online renewing but I'm also grateful for the recommendations I received from Haywards Heath library when they reopened during our Covid days. It was a blessing to have another world to escape to whilst nursing my husband through cancer.
  Thank you Librarians everywhere for providing such a great service, I have nothing but praise for such a wonderful, community facility.
  Long may it continue!
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  3 different Libraries since I had a ticket

  by By Andrea H, about 1 year ago
  My first experience was in the building on the left hand side of St Mark’s Church North Street. I later realised exactly the same sort of “hall” as St Mary’s School attended on the right hand side of St Mark’s Church. It was quite a dark hall with floorboards! Then new Library in North Street by the horse trough and I was allowed to go by myself to get books. I remember liking (not sure of spelling) Bunkle Books and Library seemed very clean and modern! Then of course now “Horsham Library “ with lots of computers and self check... Continue reading

  My first experience was in the building on the left hand side of St Mark’s Church North Street. I later realised exactly the same sort of “hall” as St Mary’s School attended on the right hand side of St Mark’s Church. It was quite a dark hall with floorboards! Then new Library in North Street by the horse trough and I was allowed to go by myself to get books. I remember liking (not sure of spelling) Bunkle Books and Library seemed very clean and modern! Then of course now “Horsham Library “ with lots of computers and self check out for books a great change from the original stamping of books.
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  What to look for.

  by KevinS., about 1 year ago
  My mum took me to Southwick Library when I was 7 years old - 1960-ish.

  We weren't a bookish family by any means at all. The only books I remembered seeing at home were the Rupert Annuals which appeared each Christmas. But - bless her - my mum took me down and I joined the library.

  I remember a quiet atmosphere and - of course - ranks and ranks of books. I didn't have a clue where to begin. I dimly remember an ancient librarian (probably late 30s) asking me what I was interested in. "Nature" I answered.

  She kindly... Continue reading

  My mum took me to Southwick Library when I was 7 years old - 1960-ish.

  We weren't a bookish family by any means at all. The only books I remembered seeing at home were the Rupert Annuals which appeared each Christmas. But - bless her - my mum took me down and I joined the library.

  I remember a quiet atmosphere and - of course - ranks and ranks of books. I didn't have a clue where to begin. I dimly remember an ancient librarian (probably late 30s) asking me what I was interested in. "Nature" I answered.

  She kindly showed me to a set of shelves, and I was left to it. As far as I remember, I chose a book with lots of pictures. The text was largely invisible to me.

  I have grown to value libraries immensely. They continue to be a source of ideas and personal flourishing. I always loved the University Libraries I came to know. But local libraries are special. They ought to have died a death under the weight of new media and so on. But they haven't. Instead, they have continually re-invented themselves to meet the needs of new generations. My local Library - Worthing - has made itself a hub within the community, and I enjoy my frequent visits.

  And for me personally - rather like telling the time and tying my shoelaces - it started with my mum.
• Share Space to learn and grow. on Facebook Share Space to learn and grow. on Twitter Share Space to learn and grow. on Linkedin Email Space to learn and grow. link

  Space to learn and grow.

  by Wendy4985 , about 1 year ago

  Library tickets. These little cardboard pockets that you were given upon registering with a library. The date stamp. The page with all the punched ink dates on it for when you had to return the book. The library was important to me due to it was quiet space. I could go and browse the books for hours on end. It was important to me because is where I picked up my first book on how to do word processing. Computers had just started to become familar and it was transitioning from typewriter to word processor. Being able to self study... Continue reading

  Library tickets. These little cardboard pockets that you were given upon registering with a library. The date stamp. The page with all the punched ink dates on it for when you had to return the book. The library was important to me due to it was quiet space. I could go and browse the books for hours on end. It was important to me because is where I picked up my first book on how to do word processing. Computers had just started to become familar and it was transitioning from typewriter to word processor. Being able to self study and read up on what was involved was important to understanding and to grow in learning. Then it would be how many books do I take out? You were allowed 6 books. The library became a safe space when I was in my 20's. Looking up reference books in order to solve problems. Finding out the right information from the reference section. Getting the right book for what I wanted to read about and find things out. Then came self study about web pages. The library in my local town was a great place to go with it's many floors and different sections, different shared spaces, privacy within the shelved books. Spaces to sit and read. The high ceilings, tables and chairs, rows upon rows of book shelves, the spiral staircases, the beautiful domes ceilings and circle arranged shelving. the different smells, noises. childrens laughter, chatter, echos of squeeky trolley wheels. Libraries an important safe space.
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  Infectious diseases

  by Ros W, about 1 year ago

  One of the library rules, as shown by the 1925 bye laws that you display, demonstrate that infectious diseases could be a problem - don’t hand back library books if the household had an infectious disease!
  this was still the case when I was a child, before antibiotics became routinely available. My sister and I were avid readers and when we both went down with “scarlet fever” my parents had to report the fact to the librarian of our local library.

  
  

  One of the library rules, as shown by the 1925 bye laws that you display, demonstrate that infectious diseases could be a problem - don’t hand back library books if the household had an infectious disease!
  this was still the case when I was a child, before antibiotics became routinely available. My sister and I were avid readers and when we both went down with “scarlet fever” my parents had to report the fact to the librarian of our local library.

  
  
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  Escapism every Saturday Morning

  by Sarah G, about 1 year ago
  My first memory of using the library was going into Durrington library after school in the 1960's. It wasn't a long walk as we lived in a flat over the shops next door. I vividly remember the satisfying clunk as the books were stamped out!

  Later, when I was 7 or 8, my sister and I cycled to Worthing library (the old building next to the Museum) every Saturday morning. I remember settling myself in the children's library, usually by a radiator, and reading for 2 or 3 hours while my sister studied for her O'levels. 'Milly, Molly, Mandy' books... Continue reading

  My first memory of using the library was going into Durrington library after school in the 1960's. It wasn't a long walk as we lived in a flat over the shops next door. I vividly remember the satisfying clunk as the books were stamped out!

  Later, when I was 7 or 8, my sister and I cycled to Worthing library (the old building next to the Museum) every Saturday morning. I remember settling myself in the children's library, usually by a radiator, and reading for 2 or 3 hours while my sister studied for her O'levels. 'Milly, Molly, Mandy' books were a favourite read as well as 'The Children from One End Street'.

  I can truthfully say that those early experiences shaped by future as for the past 30 plus years I have worked in libraries, public and schools, in both East and West Sussex. It remains a joy to be able to encourage all readers, young and old, to escape inside the pages of a good book!
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  70 years of loving libraries

  by Val B, about 1 year ago
  My mother took me to the library in an old hall in Horsham in 1954 when I was 3 and my first book was Jemima Puddle Duck. Then our new purpose built library was opened and I loved Enid Blyton, Malcolm Saville, ....well everyone really.! And then finally in 2002 I got a job in Bognor Library....and I loved that too!

  Happy Birthday Library Service, you've been a huge part of my life.

  My mother took me to the library in an old hall in Horsham in 1954 when I was 3 and my first book was Jemima Puddle Duck. Then our new purpose built library was opened and I loved Enid Blyton, Malcolm Saville, ....well everyone really.! And then finally in 2002 I got a job in Bognor Library....and I loved that too!

  Happy Birthday Library Service, you've been a huge part of my life.
• Share A place to feel at home on Facebook Share A place to feel at home on Twitter Share A place to feel at home on Linkedin Email A place to feel at home link

  A place to feel at home

  by Jonas , about 1 year ago
  I remember always going to the reference section

  Always working through some amazing reference books and being fascinated be the knowledge and processes I found there
  I know that is why I became an engineer
  big thank you

  
  

  
  

  I remember always going to the reference section

  Always working through some amazing reference books and being fascinated be the knowledge and processes I found there
  I know that is why I became an engineer
  big thank you

  
  

  
  
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  My love of books

  by Heather, about 1 year ago

  I have always loved books. As a child I was lucky enough to be presented with books as gifts, we had many books at home and I read anything, Enid Blyton, Noel Streatfield, Kenneth Grahame, Louisa Alcott, (a particular favourite) and even my parents Punch books which had wonderful illustrations and were so funny.

  But of course, we had a wonderful library, living in Coulsdon in my youth, and so often went there and took ages pondering which ones to borrow. I remember also, when in my teens, that one of the librarians was also rather good looking so the... Continue reading

  I have always loved books. As a child I was lucky enough to be presented with books as gifts, we had many books at home and I read anything, Enid Blyton, Noel Streatfield, Kenneth Grahame, Louisa Alcott, (a particular favourite) and even my parents Punch books which had wonderful illustrations and were so funny.

  But of course, we had a wonderful library, living in Coulsdon in my youth, and so often went there and took ages pondering which ones to borrow. I remember also, when in my teens, that one of the librarians was also rather good looking so the visits became more frequent.

  I did belong to a book club for a while but now either purchase books or use our library in Haywards Heath. It is always welcoming and I used to take my grandsons there to get them to enjoy books and occasionally there was a sing song too.

  Thank you for all those wonderful authors and to all the librarians, past and present, 100 years!

  
  

  
  
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  Introduction of videos to West Sussex

  by Hilary, about 1 year ago
  Wendy in Bib Services and I chose which videotapes would be part of the first collection offered by West Sussex Libraries in 1989. We were instructed to choose informative and educational titles rather than feature films because we were not going to compete with high street rental stores. At the time, I was an Assistant Librarian at Worthing Library, in the first year of working in a professional post. I remember being photographed for the local paper holding a video case when the pilot collection launched.

  Wendy in Bib Services and I chose which videotapes would be part of the first collection offered by West Sussex Libraries in 1989. We were instructed to choose informative and educational titles rather than feature films because we were not going to compete with high street rental stores. At the time, I was an Assistant Librarian at Worthing Library, in the first year of working in a professional post. I remember being photographed for the local paper holding a video case when the pilot collection launched.