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  Horsham Library 1960s-1970s

  by PAR, 4 months ago

  I recall the former branch library in North Street, Horsham, designed and built sometime in the late 1950s in post-Modern style -early 1960s, which, I was told, replaced an earlier one on a nearby site also in North Street nearer to the Carfax.

  I can remember particularly well the old grey-painted electric hot-air-fan heaters set into the walls, the very heavy metal andglass internal doors and the wired glazed internal partitions and the then-popular Esavian-brand curved plywood and metal frame chairs at the reading tables.

  The ground storey, the adult section, occupied about two thirds of the plan area and... Continue reading

  I recall the former branch library in North Street, Horsham, designed and built sometime in the late 1950s in post-Modern style -early 1960s, which, I was told, replaced an earlier one on a nearby site also in North Street nearer to the Carfax.

  I can remember particularly well the old grey-painted electric hot-air-fan heaters set into the walls, the very heavy metal andglass internal doors and the wired glazed internal partitions and the then-popular Esavian-brand curved plywood and metal frame chairs at the reading tables.

  The ground storey, the adult section, occupied about two thirds of the plan area and was two storeys high, with a central 'atrium' to the roof. The first storey covered just the smaller children's library along the front and contained largely reference and study books and papers. To one side, behind the stairs, was the librarians'office. Outside was short rank of concrete 'trough' cycle stands.

  Sometime in the late 1960s or early 1970s,the large reception desk was re-equipped with the then-latest in ticket issuing technology. Gone were the former multiple card tickets in wooden trays and ink date stamps, and in came little orange-coloured single plastic tickets with some holes punched in them. It was a new form of computerised recording that used a beam of light inside the desktop that shone through the holes. The librarian inserted the ticket and a little light changed colour to show the status of the book and loan.

  We lived in Roffey then and one of our near-neighbours in Leechpool Lane was a Miss Clifford, who I believe was or became head librarian. She was a quiet and very pleasant single woman who was a professional librarian to her fingertips. Some memories of a more civilised and peaceful era in Hor sham..
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  The Library has played a huge part in my life.

  by Nicki J-H, 5 months ago

  I always remember as a child of the 70s, getting my first library card and the joy it brought. As a family, we used to visit our Worthing Library on a Saturday, where we’d make a beeline for the children’s section, tucked up at the back. It was a comfy space with bean bags and seats for the grownups. My younger sister and I would seek out some books and sit and read with our parents. We would sometimes listen to audiobooks, which back then, were on cassette tape. We would always take books home and would relish feeling like... Continue reading

  I always remember as a child of the 70s, getting my first library card and the joy it brought. As a family, we used to visit our Worthing Library on a Saturday, where we’d make a beeline for the children’s section, tucked up at the back. It was a comfy space with bean bags and seats for the grownups. My younger sister and I would seek out some books and sit and read with our parents. We would sometimes listen to audiobooks, which back then, were on cassette tape. We would always take books home and would relish feeling like a grown up, when we got to check our books out-sliding them along the stand, open and ready for the lady scan them out using her ‘magic‘ pen and stamping our return date onto the insert.

  As I grew up, the library became a valuable learning tool and I spent lengths of time searching for and reading reference books to help with my GCSEs and then when a library more local to my neighbourhood opened, I would spend hours in the ‘quiet’ studying for my A Levels.

  Now, as a parent, I take my daughter to the library, as she shares my love for books, and we often attend activities that are run. She particularly enjoyed the recent Virtual Reality headsets with immersive stories.

  The Library has and will continue to provide myself and my family with an invaluable service. I thank you from the bottom of my heart!
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  First class honours degree

  by Vic, 5 months ago
  My husband studied for his degree when he was already 40 years old and with the help of the librarian in Shoreham library during the 1990s he obtained a first class honours degree. He couldn’t afford to buy all the books required so the library was an enormous help.

  My husband studied for his degree when he was already 40 years old and with the help of the librarian in Shoreham library during the 1990s he obtained a first class honours degree. He couldn’t afford to buy all the books required so the library was an enormous help.
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  Ewell Village Library with Grandpa

  by Christine L, 6 months ago

  Grandpa lived with us and took me for my first visit to the library when I was four years old. It was love at first sight! Everywhere seemed to shine, brightly coloured reflections on the polished floor from stained glass doors, polished floors and oh, the towers of coloured book spines. I was introduced to the library assistant who showed us the children's section and gave me the wondrous news that I could choose any book and take it home! She wrote me out my own library card (it made me feel very important!). I can't remember the title of... Continue reading

  Grandpa lived with us and took me for my first visit to the library when I was four years old. It was love at first sight! Everywhere seemed to shine, brightly coloured reflections on the polished floor from stained glass doors, polished floors and oh, the towers of coloured book spines. I was introduced to the library assistant who showed us the children's section and gave me the wondrous news that I could choose any book and take it home! She wrote me out my own library card (it made me feel very important!). I can't remember the title of the book I chose, but I remember being enchanted that the clever owl in the story couldn't say "I expect so" and instead said "I 'spec so." I've been saying it now for over 75 years!! Thereafter, Grandpa took me every week. He would go in the Reading Room where the gas fire and newspapers were, and say to me "Now, you know where I am, so take as long as you like and I'll be here when you're ready." I would rush into the library, hand in my book and head for the children's section. I would take a book, lie on the cold, but highly polished, floor (which was never dusty) and read to my heart's content. When I later went to find Grandpa, he was always fast asleep with the Financial Times over his face! I realise that Ewell Library was tiny, but the happiness of those days have remained with me always and I think libraries are the most magical places where you can dream dreams and make them come true.
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  From my earliest memories to the present

  by James W, 6 months ago

  Some of my happiest, earliest memories are of the library. When I was little, we used to go to the one near Felbridge. I can remember it very clearly: the children’s area down a little slope at the back, the wooden counters and shelves, the friendly librarians. Sadly, it closed and was demolished. Block of flats there now.

  
  

  The new library was very exciting. It had an upstairs! Toilets! I would do my homework there sometimes, must have been 1984/85. Twenty years ago, I brought my children to the library: the reading challenge, the computers - so new - and... Continue reading

  Some of my happiest, earliest memories are of the library. When I was little, we used to go to the one near Felbridge. I can remember it very clearly: the children’s area down a little slope at the back, the wooden counters and shelves, the friendly librarians. Sadly, it closed and was demolished. Block of flats there now.

  
  

  The new library was very exciting. It had an upstairs! Toilets! I would do my homework there sometimes, must have been 1984/85. Twenty years ago, I brought my children to the library: the reading challenge, the computers - so new - and of course, the books.

  
  

  Now, forty years since I first came here, I am still coming after work and on days off to read and to learn, and to get some peace. It’s changed a bit, but it’s still the same library.

  
  

  Thank you, East Grinstead. Your library has been a big part of my life.
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  Books on a bus

  by Charlie Rosse, 7 months ago

  I have been a voracious reader since I was about 3 years old and first learned. Books were an escape for me and a comfort and I would tear through them when I was a child, at a rate of almost one a day. Which was always encouraged by my parents but also a tiny bit of a problem as we weren't that well off. So the library became an essential part of my life when I was growing up.

  
  

  During the summer holidays visiting the library bus was the highlight of my week. It was always on a Wednesday... Continue reading

  I have been a voracious reader since I was about 3 years old and first learned. Books were an escape for me and a comfort and I would tear through them when I was a child, at a rate of almost one a day. Which was always encouraged by my parents but also a tiny bit of a problem as we weren't that well off. So the library became an essential part of my life when I was growing up.

  
  

  During the summer holidays visiting the library bus was the highlight of my week. It was always on a Wednesday morning and we got to know the two staff members - Rosie and a man whose name I can't remember - very well. They essentially watched me grow up. They got to know the types of books I liked and would always make me great recommendations. I loved the summer library challenges as well although I did tend to complete it after the first week and get all the stickers and stamps and little prizes all in one go. When I was a teenager, I volunteered at Bognor Library during the summer to help out with the reading challenge that I'd so enjoyed as a child myself and I loved that I was suddenly working with the staff members I'd looked up to for all those years.
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  Never old enough

  by Heather, 8 months ago

  My father introduced me to the excitement of adventure books about cowboys and explorers and my favourite was Jock of the Bushveldt.

  The library in our Junior classroom was a tall wooden cupboard, locked until Friday afternoon when we were allowed to choose one book. The shelves were segregated into books for boys and books for girls. Each week gentle bespeckled Mr Harding was disconcerted when I refused any of the girls books. "They were sissy" and we had a standoff as he tried to stop me choosing a 'boy's book.' I had read all the Biggles books by the... Continue reading

  My father introduced me to the excitement of adventure books about cowboys and explorers and my favourite was Jock of the Bushveldt.

  The library in our Junior classroom was a tall wooden cupboard, locked until Friday afternoon when we were allowed to choose one book. The shelves were segregated into books for boys and books for girls. Each week gentle bespeckled Mr Harding was disconcerted when I refused any of the girls books. "They were sissy" and we had a standoff as he tried to stop me choosing a 'boy's book.' I had read all the Biggles books by the end of the year.

  I was fascinated by prehistory but the day I presented my choice of books at the local library counter the librarian and I had an upsetting confrontation. I was ten and the librarian said that I was not allowed to borrow books from the adult section. My disgruntled father had to accompany me on Saturday to borrow books with his ticket.

  Many years later I had another library confrontation. Different library.

  After browsing the bookshelves I went to the counter and whispered "have you any books on childbirth?

  Silence, then the librarian said "No. Definitly not?" I asked if she would check and look for me.

  A whispered arguement went on for a while and eventually she said they did have books on chilbirth but they were "kept in the back and no - I couldn't see or borrow them" "Why not?" "Only adults can have that sort of book"

  I pointed out that this was Tuesday, my baby was due on Saturday and I wanted a book on childbirth.

  Red faced she turned on her heel, marched into the back room and returned carrying a pile of books. I thanked her effusively and returned home to horrify myself with accounts and pictures of all the things that could go wrong on Saturday.

  Today, a beautiful, colouful library with welcoming helpful staff.

  Come on Thursday, Knit and Natter. Children come and sing, listen to a story.

  Today no banned books for pregnant Mums. Is there a book on being a good grandmother?

  
  

  
  
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  A life in libraries

  by Bluebelle16, 9 months ago

  I became a member of Worthing (where I grew up) library at the earliest age allowed as my parents couldn't keep up with my incessant demand for new books to read. I remember the children's library as being a sunny, warm and joyful space for a little girl who was happiedt with her nose in a book. The Saturday morning visits continued through my school days and browsing the initially rather forbidding tall wooden stacks of the adult library lead to many serendipitous 'finds', even if they were rather too advanced for a 14 year-old! The library became the meeting... Continue reading

  I became a member of Worthing (where I grew up) library at the earliest age allowed as my parents couldn't keep up with my incessant demand for new books to read. I remember the children's library as being a sunny, warm and joyful space for a little girl who was happiedt with her nose in a book. The Saturday morning visits continued through my school days and browsing the initially rather forbidding tall wooden stacks of the adult library lead to many serendipitous 'finds', even if they were rather too advanced for a 14 year-old! The library became the meeting place for our Saturday teenage perambulations through the town, hitting all the record shops and ending at the local coffee-bar.

  Not surprising then that, having graduated from university with a degree in English and looking for something to do while deciding on a career (which wasn't teaching!) and my family having moved to the area, I found what I thought would be a temporary post in the old Chichester library located in what was then called Wren House – now Edes House. I worked first on the schools mobile library, and then in the cataloguing department for 16 months where one of my weekly jobs was to file accession cards on Friday afternoon for the books added to stock that week....well, someone had to do it! It was a good time with good colleagues, and above all the excitement of the opening of the new library with the first computerised issue system in the country.

  I was no nearer deciding on a career when Gordon Bearman, the County Librarian, called me in to suggest that perhaps librarianship might be my métier and I should apply for a post-graduate place at 'library school' and get a professional qualification which would at least be something to have even if I eventually decided on a different path!

  He must have been clairvoyant, as librarianship did become my profession – first in Norwich Public Libraries/Norfolk County Libraries as Children and School's Librarian, and then at Brighton Polytechnic working in the Art and Design Faculty with design students. With the transition to university status I was moving into management, and ended my career as Information Services Manager at the Grand Parade campus.

  Now I am back living close to Chichester and delight in being a library user where I started my profession.

  Thank you Worthing; thank you Chichester and Gordon Bearman, for sowing the seed and then giving me the impetus to embark on what has been a fruitful, satisfying, and happy professional life.

  
  
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  Saturdays at Loughborough library

  by Jackie Harrison, 10 months ago

  When I was a teenager in the 1980s, I loved going to the library on a Saturday. I borrowed books, music on tape and spent countless hours learning languages by writing sentences in a note book. Where ever I live, one of the first things I do is join the local library. The library was, and is today, a place of knowledge, relaxation and pleasure.

  When I was a teenager in the 1980s, I loved going to the library on a Saturday. I borrowed books, music on tape and spent countless hours learning languages by writing sentences in a note book. Where ever I live, one of the first things I do is join the local library. The library was, and is today, a place of knowledge, relaxation and pleasure.
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  Billingshurst's Old Library

  by Lucy56, 11 months ago
  I remember going to the old library in Billingshurst as a child. It was on the corner of West Street, in what is now the hall/ meeting room of the Trinity United Reformed Church. The chapel was attached, as it is now.

  
  

  I remember it being quite a dark place, with wooden floorboards; queueing up at the desk to get my book (s) stamped; the mysterious card system that magically enabled the librarian to locate the correct card/book/borrower!

  Strangely, I don't remember the transition to the 'new', existing library. However, I still frequent the library and am so grateful for... Continue reading

  I remember going to the old library in Billingshurst as a child. It was on the corner of West Street, in what is now the hall/ meeting room of the Trinity United Reformed Church. The chapel was attached, as it is now.

  
  

  I remember it being quite a dark place, with wooden floorboards; queueing up at the desk to get my book (s) stamped; the mysterious card system that magically enabled the librarian to locate the correct card/book/borrower!

  Strangely, I don't remember the transition to the 'new', existing library. However, I still frequent the library and am so grateful for all that libraries have to offer. A wonderful service that enriches our lives - long may they last, to celebrate many more centenaries!