Walking Along the Seafront (Yesterday!)

Yep, it's a bit damp at the moment, so this was yesterday, and, as you'll probably be well aware, Hastings Pier is still closed to the public, not even allowed to promenade along the Pier! I saw a member of staff take 2 workers (of some sort) over to the White Rock Hotel, presumably for breakfast, or coffee?

So, with the Pier's Pavilion Restaurant closed, along to the Goat Ledge cafe instead, for me, great little business, open from 9 to 4pm, I believe, nice one, cheers!

... further back in Bottle Alley I saw this, not sure if it's architecture or art, but quality construction, someone took time to present this, another nice one!

And it's true, the Children's Library in Robertson Passage no longer exists, luckily there's a great children's department in the upgraded Hastings Library (blog).

Hastings Library Reopened This Morning.

The refurbished and 'revamped' Hastings Library in the Grade II listed, 140 year old, Brassey Institute, (see 1066 Online website) 13 Claremont TN34 1HE, reopened this morning. Consequently, I carried out a visit, seeing a few familiar faces in person, and many familiar faces on an interesting photographic multi-portrayal up on the wall to the right immediately on entering the building. See the East Sussex CC website.

There have been major repairs carried out on significant parts of the library, notably to the exterior, which had been neglected sadly over the years. The Children’s Library, which was based in Robertson Passage until recently, has now been integrated into the Brassey Institute, up on the First Floor, and a range of children’s activities including Code Clubs, Rhyme Time and Story Time are being organised.

Second Floor and PCs ++

As you can seed, the interior of the library has been completely refurbished with new furniture, many more computers, particularly up in the Learning Centre on the Second Floor, but also scattered around the building in wonderful wee booths, apparently many more books, and much improved toilet facilities. The public computers provide free access to the internet, training courses, online reference materials, and research programs for family history, and the Learning Services on the Second Floor will provide opportunities for people to improve literacy, numeracy and computer skills.

PC 'Booth'

There is a wide range of books to borrow on the Ground Floor, plus DVDs, newspapers and magazines to read, and more books can be found around the building, and reference books and other material is found on the Third Floor. Enquiry Points are on every floor. There is a small leaflet available Your new Hastings Library, which tells you where everything is situated, and which I recommend you pick up to help for your first visit, though on the stairs at each floor there are full lists of what you will find there.

Your new Hastings Library also tells us that on "every floor you will find: Wi-Fi, public computers, seating, study places, USB charging stations, and toilets."

The library continues to house A Dream of Fair Women artwork by Edward Armitage, and the Tressell Panel by Hazel Brook (above) is now up on the Second Floor, immediately on your left as you go through the glass doors; regarding Tressell see my earlier blog and the Hastings Museum & Art Gallery website.

As A Design For Life by the Manic Street Preachers tells us "Libraries gave us power" (video) through the provision of information, I cannot wait for my next visit as there is still so much for me to explore and plenty of books for me to borrow to read... 

Please feel free to visit the library very soon and join the library if not already a member, remember it is free and such an excellent resource should not be neglected!

Hastings Library to Reopen...

Hastings Library in Claremont is to reopen on 2nd March 2018, after a bit of a delay due to unforeseen problems. The Children's Library is to be integrated into the Brassey Institute building, so the building in Robertson Passage will be closed to enable stock to be moved from Monday 26th of February, therefore from then until Friday the 2nd, anyone wanting to use library services will need to go to either Hollington or Ore libraries. See the East Sussex website for further information about the refurbishment.

Library closures?

It appears that more than a quarter of libraries in East Sussex will be closing, and the mobile library service will end... Details of the plans will be discussed at an East Sussex County Council cabinet meeting next week. Spokesman Nick Skelton said "significant cuts from central government" left them with "no choice".

Of course, there are opponents to any scheme to cut library services, including me of course. As a well-known song says 'Libraries gave us power' (A Design for Life), as in, knowledge is power, and the former children's laureate Chris Riddell joins me and urges the council to "think again".

Riddell asserts that "Rather than fewer libraries we need better resourced libraries, we need to cherish the libraries we have. If we lost them, the great tragedy is, we can never get them back."

The cuts have been estimated to make total savings of £653,000 a spokesperson from East Sussex County Council has said. Now, with the main Hastings Library being renovated and due to reopen next year, I imagine it is safe, but what about other library services in Hastings, including the Children's Library? Austerity cuts, hmmm...

Libraries should be saved and improved on, not closed!

See BBC website for more details.

Hastings Central Library Update.

Sorry, if the headline excited you, but not great news, yet... The library in Claremont, due to extra work being required, will not be reopening this year, but should be open again in the Spring of 2018 (website). Meanwhile, the Children's Library in Robertson Passage will continue to be the port of call in the town centre...

Paperback books outsell e-books again!

Paperback book sales increased by 4% last year whilst e-book sales dropped by 4%, paperback copies now outselling digital copies again, and that's not including hardback books! It doesn't surprise me though, and shows a welcome sign of a return to reading books properly, hopefully helped by, and helping to support, local libraries. Paraphrasing Giles, the librarian in Buffy the Vampire Slayer (honest!), books have texture and smell, they are tangible, which you can't get from lines of ones and zeros! 😊 

Which reminds me, I've not popped into the library in Robertson Passage for a while, and it would be good to find out when the main library is to re-open, and borrow a book too...

Learn a New Skill at the Library!

The latest newsletter from East Sussex Library and Information Service (website) suggests the New Year could be the time to learn a "new skill" - 

"There’s never been a better time to learn new skills with the help of your local Library.

• Improve your IT skills with the IT for You trainers – learn how to use the internet & email, update your CV, social media and apply for work online
• Gain qualifications in English, Maths or IT with our Learndirect centres
• Dip into bite sized online guides on Atomic Training – perfect for getting the hints and tips on your new ipads.  Available to all library customers (you will need to set up and account)

And all sessions and resources are free of charge!

Call 01323 463759 or email Phil.Lanham@eastsussex.gov.uk now for more information or to book your place." 

Please note that all the links above may not work, sorry, if so for you, keep trying!

Learning opportunities at Hastings Library...

I have just received an email from East Sussex Library Services...

Did you know that the Library Service offers online courses, at the library or at home, with support and guidance available from a tutor? In Hastings Library you are able to sign up to a range of learndirect English, Maths and ICT courses. Although the learning is online, the courses are for people at all levels, from beginners who have never touched a computer to experienced computer users who want to gain a qualification. They assess your needs and help you select a course that suits you...

In the last 12 months nearly 200 new qualifications have been gained through learndirect courses in East Sussex libraries. Students have used the skills gained through these courses to secure new jobs and new volunteering opportunities. These courses are open to everyone, to find out more visit your nearest library, call us on 0345 60 80 196, or go to the East Sussex website.

Don't forget, the Children's Library, Robertson Passage, is the acting main library for now.

Hastings Library has reopened... in Robertson Passage.

The combined Hastings Adults' and Children's Library has reopened today in Robertson Passage, see website. I was in there an hour ago, and the computers weren't yet working, though it was suggested they would be by this afternoon, at the latest. I can also let you know that the combined services are all on the ground floor of this building, consequently, there isn't very much there, and only one machine, at the moment, to check books and DVDs in/out of! Though many friendly helpful staff around today to help advise you!

This is the reason why, the main Library in Claremont is closed until Spring 2017 for refurbishment, roll on!

Hastings Library Refurbishment

Where have all the books gone, has there been an upsurge in borrowing books from the library?!? Don't worry, after my recent blog about cutting library services, it's not as bad as it looks... But, indeed, both Hastings Library and the Children's Library will be closed for a couple of weeks whilst the main library relocates to the Children's Library in Robertson Passage, thus enabling refurbishment of the building in Claremont, the Brassey Institute.  

Both libraries, which will end up at Robertson Passage for a year, will be closed from Monday 22nd February to Saturday 5th March 2016, and the 'dual library' will reopen on 7th March; the main library in Claremont will be closed for a year into next Spring 2017. 

Books can be returned to any other East Sussex library, in the meantime, though a librarian assured me that if you borrowed from either of these 2 libraries, an extension of the loan will be enabled, if needed, to return them to Robertson Passage on 7th March.