East Grinstead

• Opening hours and contact details
• How to find us
• What's on
• Our services
• Information and reference
• Young people
• Children and Family Centre
• Community help
• Summary of services

Opening hours and contact details

Address:

East Grinstead Library
32 - 40 West Street
East Grinstead
RH19 4SR

Location map

Opening hours:

Renew online

Contact us

Email: eastgrinstead.library@westsussex.gov.uk

Flickr: www.flickr.com/eastgrinsteadlibrary

Library Manager: Sue Young

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How to find us

Approaching the town from the north or south on the A22, turn into West Street at the mini roundabout at the junction of the High Street, London Road and West Street. The library is on the left on West Street, next to Waitrose Store and opposite the Mid Sussex District Council car park.

There is disabled parking to the rear of the library, a lift to the first floor and a ramp access to the front entrance.

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What's On

East Grinstead Library Jubilee Events 2012

Thursday 31 May at 7.00pm
An evening with Bill Brown

Author of 'Billy Brown, I’ll Tell Your Mother'.
Memoirs of growing up in post-war Brixton.

Tickets £3.00 available from the library.

Wednesday 6 June at 11.00am – 1.00pm
Teddy Bear’s Picnic and Bear Hunt.

Library joins with Children and Family Centre for this event to be held in the grounds of East Court, College Lane, East Grinstead.
Bring a picnic and join us for Storytelling, Rhymes and a Bear Hunt in the woods. Meet the Bookstart Bear.
For families and children up to 7 years old.

Tickets not required – just come along and join us.

All children to be accompanied by parents or carers.

  
Thursday 7 June at 10.30am – 11.30am
'Glittering in the Garden' Children’s Craft Activity.

To be held at the Library (in the garden if weather’s fine).
Come along and make your own special Diamond Jubilee Garden Mobile.
For Children aged 5 – 11.

Free Tickets from the Library.

All children to be accompanied by parents or carers.

Thursday 7 June at 7.00pm
1897: The last Royal Diamond Jubilee: How West Sussex celebrated.

An illustrated talk by Martin Hayes, County Local Studies Librarian, using original sources exploring how West Sussex celebrated the last great public event of Queen Victoria’s reign.

Tickets £3.00 available from the library.

Friday 8 June at 7.00pm.
The Library Big Royal Jubilee Quiz.

Red Herring’s Quiz Night with a difference!
Teams of 6 or you can join a team on the night.

Tickets £10.00 (including fish and chip supper) available from the library.

IT computer courses

Free 6-week IT Beginner Taster courses for over 55s. One 45-minute session per week. Please contact the library for more information or speak to staff on the first floor Enquiry Desk.

Meet the Press

A local East Grinstead Courier and Observer reporter will be available at the library every Wednesday from 12.00pm - 2.00pm, and Friday from 10.00am - 12.00pm.

  
Electric Monitor Testers

Limited supplies are available for a 3-week loan from the library - free.
Please contact us on 01342 410050 for further information.

  
East Grinstead Knitting Club
Knit and Natter

Meet on the first Saturday each month from 2.00pm-4.00pm. New members welcome. For more information please email pnf@funnellp.fsnet.co.uk or contact the library.

Toddler book and rhyme time

Mondays 11.00am–11.30am

Baby rhyme time

Fridays 11.00am-11.30am

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Our services

• Books
• Audio books on cassette and CD
• Music CDs
• DVDs
• Music scores
• Magazines and Newspapers
• Essential Skills collection
• Parent Information collection
  
  
• Faxes
  You can send a Fax within the UK, European Union, or the rest of the world for a small charge.
  You can arrange for a Fax to be sent to the library for you to collect. There is a reception fee per page.
  Fax No: 01342 410262
• Wi-Fi provided by BT Openzone

1 hour or 24 hour vouchers can be purchased in the library.

We can supply...
Reader advice and guidance.

We can help you...
Find a 'good read' for your holiday.
Trace that obscure title.
Recommend just the book for your study course.
Find a book to help with your hobby.

We can help...

• People with poor sight
  We have books in large print as well as audio books on cassettes and CDs. Hire concessions for audio books are available for those with visual impairment - details on request.
  
  Find out more about our services for people with special needs.
  
  
• Housebound readers
  For those unable to get to the library through age or infirmity the housebound reader service is available on request. This service is co-ordinated by the library and operated by a local group of volunteers. Books are delivered to and collected from readers' own homes and may be kept for a longer loan period. Collections of books may also be available to residential and sheltered homes etc. Further details on request.
  
  Find out more about our services for people with special needs.
  
  
• There is ....
  disabled parking to the rear of the library, a lift to the first floor and ramp access to the front entrance.

Reading groups

We have 2 reading groups that meet in the library each month. 
They meet on the first Tuesday in the month between 4.15pm and 5.45pm and the last Monday in the month between 5.15pm and 6.45pm.

If you are interested in joining, do ring us on 01342 410050
or email: east.grinstead.library@westsussex.gov.uk

Visually impaired reading group

East Grinstead Town Mayor Bernard Gillbard formally launched our reading group in October 2005. The group meets monthly on the last Tuesday of each month.

This group has been made possible by a grant from the Ulverscroft Foundation which has enabled us to use local community transport to bring members to the library. 

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Information and reference

We can give comprehensive help with all kinds of general enquiries. Information enquiries are a vital part of our service. We can help with almost any enquiry, no matter what the subject, or if we can't help, we'll find someone who can.

Try our 'Ask Us' service and general Information and Business pages.

Information of all kinds

Some of the topics we cover:
Tourist and Local Information, Education, Legislation, Language Dictionaries, Business, Europe, Central and Local Government, Local Studies and Family History.

In addition to East Grinstead Business Information, we can also put you in touch with our Business Information Officer, based at Crawley Library, who runs Info Trace, the West Sussex County Council Business Information Service.

Family history sources

I.G.I. (International Genealogical Index) for South East England, such as, Essex, Kent, London, Surrey and Sussex; plus Cambridgeshire, Derbyshire, Devon, Dorset, Hampshire, Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire, Warwickshire, Worcestershire, Yorkshire and Ireland (part).

Parish registers

• East Grinstead 1662-1872 West Hoathly 1645-1878 and Worth 1558-1880 (covering Crawley Down and Turners Hill areas) on microfiche.
• Census Returns 1841-1891
• East Grinstead and surrounding parishes including Copthorne, Crawley Down, Felbridge, Forest Row, Hartfield, Lingfield, Rowfort, Turners Hill, West Hoathly and Withyham on microfiche.
• Sussex Directories 1792-1398 on microfiche
• East Grinstead Directories 1872,1886, 1896, 1897, 1901, 1910, 1911, 1912, 1913, 1915, 1916, 1923, 1928, 1953, 1962-3 on microfiche.
• Forest Row Directories 1887,1888 on microfiche
• Lingfield & District Directories 1888 on microfiche

We also have a wide selection of books on family history.

Local studies

• Books and materials on East Grinstead
• Maps
• Photographs
• Local History files on local areas and topics.

See Local Studies services for more general information and further sources. Local History mini guide no. 3 East Grinstead is available.

Current charges

Local newspapers
The library has the East Grinstead Observer 1886-1914 and 1977-1982 and the East Grinstead Courier 1983 to date.

Periodicals and national newspapers
We keep back copies of most of the titles we take. Specific articles from almost any periodical may be obtained on request. Try our Request a Periodical Article on-line service.

Information on local societies and organisations
The library maintains a database of local clubs and societies, which may be accessed via the library or try our Community Information pages.

Local groups may display posters advertising events in the area and we maintain a file of club programmes for people to consult.

If you would like to include your society on our database, please get in touch with our Information Librarian.

Local Librarians are also happy to visit local groups to talk about any aspect of the Library Service or indeed books!

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Young people

We have:

• Books
  Board books for babies
  Picture books (including dual language picture books)
  Stories
  Information books for hobbies or homework!
  Special situation books, for example, going into hospital, having a baby.
  
  
• Story cassettes and audio CDs
  
  
• DVDs
  
  
• Help with homework
  As well as books to borrow, we have a homework collection of reference books.

You're never too young to join the library!...

Information for parents and carers

• Parent information collection
  Books on child development, education, health and so on.
  Book lists for all ages.
  Special situation books to help, for example, children going into hospital, starting school.
  
  
• Specialist staff
  The children's librarian will be pleased to help with advice on new authors or titles, reluctant readers or children with dyslexia.
  
  
• Playgroups and Nurseries
  Bulk loans of books may be arranged for pre school groups.
  Playgroups are welcome to visit the library for special storytime or the children's librarian is happy to visit local groups.

Information on childcare in West Sussex

• West Sussex Children's Information Service
  St James Campus 
  St James Road
  West Sussex PO19 7HA
  Phone: 01243 777807
  Fax: 01243 520825

Things for teachers

• Help and advice on books for children from our children's librarian.
• Project loan collections are available to teachers in West Sussex Primary Schools from the School Library Service.
• The loan collections may be ordered and collected from East Grinstead Library.
  
  
• Class visits to the library
  These may be a general introduction to the resources of the library for pupils or may be geared to specific topics on the curriculum.
  
  Local studies material is also available.
  
  
• Visits to schools
  The children's librarian is happy to visit schools and individual classes for book talks, book weeks and so on.
  
  

Parents and carers ...general information

• Teen Read
  Great stories, graphic novels, information and help with careers, jobs, life!.....including health and drug issues.
  Free reservations - under 14 for children's and teenage books

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Children and Family Centre

East Grinstead Children and Family Centre
32-40 West Street, East Grinstead RH19 4SR

Phone: 01342 332970

Opening hours:

The Children and Family Centre at the library is open on a part-time basis at present.
We hope to extend our opening hours soon. In the meantime you are welcome to access a full range of services from:

East Grinstead Children and Family Centre, Blackwell Farm Road, RH19 3JL

Phone: 01342 332992

Alternatively you may contact the Children's Information Service on: 01243 777807

Parents and carers are welcome to visit our Internet Cafe when we are open.

Please phone or call in for details of their current programme of events.

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Community help

Within East Grinstead Library you may access a wide variety of community services.

Help Point

Why not pop into the Help Point in West St. to find out more about what we can offer?

• Do you have a query about Public Services?
• My dustbin hasn't been emptied.
• I need a blue badge.
• How can I change my doctor?
• Do I need planning permission for a garage?
• Can I buy refuse sacks?

Help Point staff can help you with any query about the services provided by any council in the area or by the West Sussex Health Authority.

Phone
01342 300780

Fax
01342 410262

Email: east.grinstead.help.point@westsussex.gov.uk

Connexions

A careers guidance service is available for young people in the library twice weekly. Drop in or appointments available.

Tuesday and Thursday
9.30am - 12.30pm
1.30pm - 4.30pm

Phone
01342 321564
01293 528374

Fax
01342 317882

West Sussex Registration Service

To Register Births and Deaths:
You can either book an appointment online, or you can call: 01243 642122
(at present all appointments for the East Grinstead area are held at Crawley)

Crawley Register Office
West Sussex County Council
Southgate Avenue
Crawley
RH10 6HG

Opening Hours:  Monday - Friday 9.30am - 4.30pm

Mid Sussex District Council

Housing Benefits Surgery

Is held on Wednesday mornings from 9.30am - 12.00pm
No appointment is necessary.

Housing Needs Surgery

Is held bi-weekly on Wednesday afternoons from 1.30pm – 3.30pm by appointment only.
Phone: 01444 477574

Mid Sussex District Council - Housing Services

Citizens Advice Bureau

Is now available on Wednesday mornings in the library from 9.30am-12 noon.
No appointment necessary.

Councillor Surgeries

Councillors are available to discuss Council Services on the first and third Saturdays of the month from 10.00am - 12.00pm

Tourist Information

The East Grinstead tourism Initiative is based in the Library and offers a wide range of services to visitors and the local community. Over 200 separate leaflet and brochures are stocked which cover the town and the region. All local accommodation guides are available and most details can be faxed or posted on demand. The Tourism Initiative is a pro-active partnership between County, District and Town Councils dedicated to providing a comprehensive service to both public and business interests.
The service is available during library opening hours.

Phone
01342 410121

Fax
01342 410262

Email
tourism@eastgrinstead.gov.uk

East Grinstead Access Group

Has now moved to Sadlers Yard, West Street (next door to the library.)

The Access group promotes ease of access and participation for the disabled.

Opening Hours
Weekdays only 10.30am - 12.30pm

Phone
01342 322242

Email
egrinsteadaccess@aol.com

East Grinstead Volunteer Centre

For any enquiries about volunteering please contact:

Council for Voluntary Service
Old Court House
East Court
East Grinstead
West Sussex
RH19 3LS

Phone
Weekdays  9.30am to 12.30pm
01342 328080

Fax   
01342 324664 

Furnihelp Mid Sussex

This is a voluntary scheme to collect and re-cycle unwanted basic items of furniture and household equipment by passing it on to help those who have been homeless and others in similar need. If you have something you would like to donate or would like to become a volunteer, please contact the secretary.

Phone and Fax: 01342 811755
Email:  EGAEC@rmplc.co.uk
Website: http://www.furnihelp.co.uk/aboutus.html

Opening Hours: Dependent on volunteers - please telephone

Stop Smoking drop-in Tuesday 9.30am - 11.30am

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Summary of services

NB all libraries stock books for adults and children, books in large print, and books on cassette.

(S* = a small selection)

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