After a major refurbishment our Rye library is open once again and what a difference! I went along there on Monday morning and met Hayley Kent and her team who had been working round the clock to get everything ready and open for business for 10am that morning.
The library has been transformed – gone are the old ex-Woolworths windows, replaced with smart new windows more in keeping with the High Street and as you walk inside the first thing you notice is how light and welcoming it now is and the new carpeting just brings it all together. Hayley toured me around the building where I met her colleagues, Paul and Lyndsey, and their expressions said it all. They were all very proud of what had been achieved and the comments from the customers coming in were, without exception, very complimentary.
The library opening times are 10am – 5pm on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday and on Wednesday from 10am until 1pm. On Saturday it opens at 10am and closes at 4pm and is not open on Sundays.
There is a self service, computerised system enabling customers to take, renew and return books but the team is always on hand if you need help with anything. In the front window is a reading and seating area, a more spacious soft seating area offers colourful padded seating and the mobile bookcases line the walls and central aisle. There are books to suit everyone’s taste and interest, free computers too, which anyone who is a member can book, and there’s free WiFi.
Towards the rear of the library is a further rest area with tables and chairs and daily newspapers to browse through, along with accessible toilets and baby changing facilities. The whole area is very light and welcoming, an ideal warm space if you need it.
For me, the cherry on the cake is the children’s area, separated from the main library by glass automatic doors, a safe, warm and very inspiring space superbly appointed with thousands of children’s books, trendy seating areas and two computer stations at just the right height. The walls are wonderfully decorated with nautical motifs and portable low level bookcases snake their way along the floor with padded seating and desks.
If this wasn’t enough, as well as all the books on a huge range of subjects including local history, the library has audio books and music CDs. Joining the library is free; you can join online or in person by visiting the library and membership enables you to borrow books for all ages, free of charge. You can also borrow ebooks, audio books and eMagazines and newspapers and DVDs, music CDs and audio books for a small charge. You can reserve or select and collect items for pick up from the library and as well as getting free access to computers and WiFi. You can also access subscription websites for free in the online reference library. Your membership entitles you to access stock and services at any East Sussex Library.
Many libraries have had to close across the country and we are so lucky to have this facility in Rye but we need to make sure it gets used to its full potential so when you get the chance, do go down to see the team at 30 High Street. I can guarantee you won’t be disappointed. After your visit tell all your friends about it and ask them to go along and see what’s on offer. Something for everyone, six days a week and for free. What are you waiting for?
Image Credits: Nick Forman .
Fantastic – I really hopes this wonderful library inspires families and children to love reading books, thank you for such a fabulous resource in Rye, and for FREE. No expense necessary in buying books to enjoy, which is so helpful at this very difficult financial time for us all.
How lovely for local schools and pre-schools to visit a fabulous local library too. Brilliant work indeed.
Free at point of use..But not free…council tax payers pay for it..
But… good to see the money spent locally rather than disappearing in the great sink-hole of Bexhill (awarded £19,192,000 for ‘levelling up’).
Wonderful news in a time of declining literacy. A resource to be treasured and used.
Rye Library- what a difference the refurbishment has made- I am a firm supporter of our local libraries. They provide great service and resources to our community.
And very smart the windows are too, I’m surprised to see that they upvc, I live in an unlisted building on the Strand in the conservation area and planning refused permission for upvc saying that it wasn’t in keeping with Rye.
I’ve also noticed a building in the Mint with upvc windows, I hope this is not a case of who you know.
Sadly once again we see the double standards of others, why have East Sussex County Council been given permission to use up upvc in a conservation area, and not a whisper from Rye Conservation Society.