Westdene Library

One of Brighton’s far-flung community libraries, Westdene in Bankside, has been spruced up and re-opens at 9am on November 29.   It has been closed for alterations to create a new classroom for Westdene Primary School next door.

Under the council’s Libraries Extra initiative it will now be open seven days a week and staffed on Tuesdays.  On other days library members can enter with their library card and PIN number. Facilities include a range of books, electronic media, computers, printing and free wifi.  There is also a new public toilet.

The library will also be on the lookout for volunteers.  For information on this or any other aspects of the library visit www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/libraries or call 01273 290800.

The opening hours are:-

Monday - 9am to 7pm (Libraries Extra)
Tuesday - 9am to 5pm
​Wednesday - 9am to 7pm (Libraries Extra)
Thursday - 9am to 5pm (Libraries Extra)
Friday - 9am to 5pm (Libraries Extra)
Saturday - 9.30am to 5pm (Libraries Extra)
Sunday - 11am to 5pm (Libraries Extra)

Thanks to 'Libraries Extra' Brighton is  bucking a national trend where access to libraries is shrinking due to budget cuts. Most Brighton & Hove community libraries are now operating ‘Libraries Extra’ scheme which provides:-
- a dedicated phone helpline
​- easy-to-use self-service kiosks to borrow and return items
- volunteer help on some days
​- constant monitoring by a security company with CCTV and live audio
- a dedicated intercom to the security company in case of emergency

To use Libraries Extra, members need to upgrade their membership card for free at their local library. They must bring two proofs of identity, one with an address, and agree to new terms and conditions of membership.

Brighton's Rare Books

Hove Library Book Shop

White Night '11

A few pictures:

'Dollytopia'- New Road

'Return to Eden' - Victoria Gardens 

'Return to Eden' - Victoria Gardens

'Polyester Festival' - Jubilee Library

'Metahub' - Jubilee Square

The 'Keep' gets a go-ahead

News from Brighton reports that the proposed £19m history centre, "the Keep", to be built to the north of Brighton, has been approved by Brighton and Hove City council’s planners. It is hoped it will be completed in time for opening in 2013 with work now expected to begin at Woollards Field, near Falmer, see above, next summer.

The project is a collaboration between East Sussex County Council, Brighton & Hove City Council and the University of Sussex.  It will provide a secure home for all the archives and historical resources of East Sussex and Brighton & Hove, and the Special Collections of the University of Sussex, including the internationally  renowned Mass Observation Archive. The building will also include the library and headquarters of the Sussex Family History Group.

News from Brighton quotes Councillor Bob Tidy, community services member at East Sussex County Council, who said:
“The Keep will be the new home for over 900 years of historical resources and collections of local, national and international importance. It will house over six miles of archives including written records, maps, plans, films, photographs, prints and drawings. Councils up and down the country are looking at all their planned new schemes and only putting forward those they believe are their key priorities and for which funding has already been planned. The Keep falls into that category and I’m delighted that it has been given the go-ahead.”

Shown below is an accurate photomontage of the appearance of the Keep from Ringmer Road and an artist's impression viewed from north-east:-:-

The Old Music Library

Most people know it as "The Old Music Library", and in its latest reincarnation as a restaurant (what else in Brighton!) the smart dark-grey paint seems to render the Brighton dolphins over the door much more discernible. It was, in fact, built in the 1920's as the showroom for the municipal gas company; those being the days when coal-gas was still manufactured and distributed locally. 

For several years while the Museum complex was undergoing the millenium £10M renovation it also served as the Local History Centre.  The present manifestation may be the first time the building has been out of some kind of municipal use. 

Maybe not a great bit of architecture, the top "slabs" seem over ponderous, but it makes a whimsical pairing with the narrow Victorian facade next door. It is good it is finding a new use. 

The Dome Foyer opens up . .

The ceiling of the Dome Foyer decorated for the Festival.

Following the success of this venue (which was once the Central Library) during the Festival, it is now to open to the public from 10am – 5pm, Tuesday to Sunday, and Bank Holiday Mondays including 31st May. The Foyer bar is linked with Brighton Museum & Art Gallery and these doors will be open – so you can visit two spectacular venues at once!

History Centre - Support from English Heritage

Thanks to Selma (Hon Sec. Brighton Society)for bringing this to my/our attention.

For information, you can write to David Smith at david.smith@brighton-hove.org.uk

He replied to me this morning, saying he would be discussing the decision with officials next week. My local councillor, Paul Elgood, has promised to move a budget amendment on this (if someone else doesn't get there first).

With the council now with no overall control, this deplorable decision can be reversed if we make our feelings clear. Please sign the e-petition- 148 people have already done so.

Regards

Howard

-----

Howard Spencer
Blue Plaques Historian
English Heritage
1 Waterhouse Square
138-142 Holborn
LONDON
EC1N 2ST

History Centre Closure - Council response

Reply from Cr. David Smith, Cabinet Member for Culture, Recreation & Tourism:-
"Thank you for your email concerning the Brighton History Centre.

Our proposal to move this service from its existing location at the Brighton Museum to the Jubilee Library will, I believe, have a number of benefits.  The accessibility will be improved with an increase in opening hours for customers from 35 hours a week in Brighton History Centre to 54 hours a week in Jubilee Library.  The majority of use of the Brighton History Centre is for use of online resources or microfilm and fiche resources (family history researchers), and these can be provided in Jubilee Library, together with some of the book stock.

The service as it is currently run is only used by a limited group of people and those figures are in decline.  The History centre is unfortunately not attracting new users or younger users and the number of visits has dropped by nearly 14,000 in last five years.

We are keen to improve services and particularly to improve access.  It is also important to note that we do have additional good local history resources in all of our libraries and also in Brighton and Hove Museums and Galleries.

Once again thank you for your enquiry into the Brighton History Centre."

(I note he has not commented on the issues of security or on the possible move to the Keep.)

Previous posts on this subject are: here, here, and here.