Have you visited your local library lately?
It is very easy to join the library. There is no charge to join, no forms to fill in, and you only need to provide one proof of identity (preferably with your name and address). Once you have joined, your library ticket can be used at any library in Kent.
Adults can borrow 12 items, including books, DVDs, CDs and spoken word books, and children can borrow 8 items. The loan period is 3 weeks, after that you can renew the books simply by telephoning, emailing or by visiting in person. Late fines cost 15p per day (3p per day for retired people); children are exempt and there is no charge for books which are damaged by a child.
There are charges to borrow audio visual items such as DVDs, CDs and some spoken word books. The charges vary, so please ask the staff at the library for more details. If you are seeking a particular book but can't find it, you can request it, at a cost of 25p.
As well as borrowing books, there is free access to the internet in all Kent libraries; you only need to have a library ticket to use the computers. In addition to the internet, you can use the computers for word processing and emailing. There is also a huge amount of online reference information available to members of the library.
For children, we hold regular Story Time and Baby Bounce and Rhyme sessions in many of our branches. Young visitors can also take part in the Book Crawl: Each time your child visits the library - to borrow books, attend a Story Time or Baby Bounce and Rhyme session - they will be given a sticker. When they have visited 4 times they will be given a colourful certificate. There are a number of designs to choose from, so they can keep collecting the stickers to try and get them all. If a child collects 10 certificates, they will be awarded a special gold certificate! We also have homework clubs for older children, where volunteers are available to help the children with their homework.
We hold children's activities in libraries during holidays, and every year we have the Summer Reading Challenge, which encourages Primary school children to continue their reading during the summer holidays.
Baby Bounce and Rhyme sessions are held at Tunbridge Wells, Pembury, Rusthall, Cranbrook, and Southborough. Story Times are held at Tunbridge Wells, Cranbrook, Paddock Wood, Pembury, Rusthall, Showfields and Southborough. Homework clubs are held at Cranbrook and Pembury. Please contact your local library for days and times of these regular activities and for information about what else is going on.
LOCAL LIBRARIES
Cranbrook: 01580 712463
Hawkhurst: 01580 752064
Paddock Wood: 01892 832065
Pembury: 01892 822278
Rusthall: 01892 521667
Sherwood: 01892 537679
Showfields: 01892 532620
Southborough: 01892 529808
Tunbridge Wells: 01892 522352
Library information is within Leisure & Culture
Article written for Spring 2009 issue by by Susan Rogers, Customer Services Development Librarian at Tunbridge Wells Library
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