Even more reasons to love your local library

We all know about libraries, but how well do you really know your local library?

East Sussex County Council has 17 libraries in East Sussex. You might think of a calm, warm and relaxing environment packed with fascinating, educational, and inspiring books – and you’d be right – but there’s so much more going on behind those doors.

Did you know the library can help you meet new people, or that it supports adults learning to read or who’d like to grow their IT skills, or that the library can even come to you? All for free! Of course, you can always still pop in and just relax, soak up the atmosphere or meet a friend.

Here’s some of the brilliant things on offer from local libraries across East Sussex.

Stay connected

All East Sussex Libraries offer free Wi-Fi and computer use. Search your family history with free access to Ancestry, make job applications, use video editing software and more, all at your local library.

Reading Friends

Reading Friends brings people together to read, share stories, meet new friends, and have fun. Reading is a great way to get chatting to people, whether it’s about books, magazines, newspapers or anything else! You can either come to a Reading Friends group in the library or have a home visit that brings the library to you.

You can also get involved by becoming a Reading Friends or Home Library Service volunteer.

Find out more: Reading Friends

IT For You

Want to boost your IT skills or confidence? IT For You offers one to one computer support to adults at their local library, including Microsoft office, staying in touch with friends and family, and using the NHS app. You choose the skills you learn, there are no tests and no exams, and you can attend as many or as few sessions as you need.

Find out more: IT For You.

Step into Reading

Step into Reading supports adults with learning to read. Learners meet one to one with a volunteer every week in a library and work through a reading scheme at their own pace. Whether it’s improving your skills, learning to read, or learning English as a second language, there are a range of books and resources to support you.

Find out more: Learning

Reminiscence resources

Reminiscing – sharing stories and talking about memories and experiences from the past – can benefit people with memory loss or dementia and support their wellbeing. The library holds several reminiscence resources, including books, games, and reminiscence boxes, which are free to reserve and borrow.

Have a look at the library catalogue on the website, or pop into your nearest library.

Accessibility

Libraries offer services for people who have problems with sight or hearing, learning disabilities, or difficulty getting to the library.

Many resources are available at your local library, or staff can order books from other libraries and deliver them to you. This includes large print books, audiobooks, and specialist equipment for people who are visually impaired.

Most libraries are accessible by wheelchair, and each library has a computer with a large screen, large print keyboard and access to an on-screen keyboard, screen magnifier and accessibility settings for the mouse.

If you can’t easily use your library due to disability, frailty, or caring responsibilities, the home library service can come to you.

Find out more: Library services for disabled people

Let’s not forget about books!

Of course, your local library remains a welcoming space for you to pop into and pick out your latest reading material to borrow. Joining is easy if you’re not already a member.  You can either join online or visit a library with proof of your name and address. All library members are now entitled to 6 free reservations, so you can borrow books from around the county without any charge.

Many libraries also have regular events like Rhymetime and Storytime, and lots more. For the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee there will be a range of free events across East Sussex libraries during the May half term, like crown making craft workshops, afternoon cake, and author led storytelling events: Library events celebrate Queen’s Jubilee

We hope you’re feeling inspired to learn more about your local library and make the most of the fantastic services on offer.

To get more information about libraries :