Ways to display lots of info
If you wanted to section off a page that has lots of information you might want to use the accordions rather than coloured headers.
The Enquiries Team are here to help with any queries.
The world famous Britannica Library is a recommended source of general information and comes in three different levels. Junior, Student and Adult. It contains lots of images and videos as well to help bring topics alive. It is available to library members from home.
Oxford Reference includes over 100 reference titles such as dictionaries, timelines, flags and maps. It is available to library members from home.
West Sussex Past Pictures has thousands of historical images of West Sussex from our library service and local museums.
Authorfy - free author videos and writing resources.
Barrington Stoke - advice, information and free resources for parents and carers of children with dyslexia.
Books about lockdown - free to download. Click the link for further details on our Children's Activities page.
British Library - discovering children's books - explore centuries of stories, poems and illustrations.
Children's Poetry Archive - listen to poetry being read aloud.
Poetry by heart - a wide selection of poetry on different topics, including some linking to recordings from the Poetry Archive.
Google Arts and Culture - art and culture from around the world.
Internet Archive - a non-profit library of millions of book, music and pictures.
National Theatre - Learning from Home. Opportunities for young people, schools and groups to create and take part in theatre safely.
V&A Museum - have a look at their collections online.
Barrington Stoke - advice, information and free resources for parents and carers of children with dyslexia.
Compass card - lots of online resources for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities and their families.
Sensory Projects - inclusive resources for learning and playing.
Chester Zoo - See their live virtual zoo tours or catch up later with the highlights!
National Trust - activities to do at home and with your family.
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) - have fun and learn at home with these activities.
The Wildlife Trusts - plenty of ideas for helping wildlife at home.
Wild at Home - downloadable educational resources from Paignton Zoo to inspire and educate children at home.
Science Museums Group - activities, games and videos.
Scratch - create stories, games and animation.
STEM learning - science, technology, engineering and maths resources.
Scratch - create stories, games and animation.
STEM learning - science, technology, engineering and maths resources.
Department of Education - a list of many online resources for home education, including English, maths, PE, science, wellbeing, SEND and more.
Off School - downloadable resources recommended by teachers with links to websites covering many topics and themes. Have a look at the film and activity zone to find videos created by teachers that demonstrate fun, quality activities that can be created at home.
P.E. with Joe - P.E. sessions and other workout activities with Joe Wicks.
PhonicsPlay schools who subscribe to a PhonicsPlay Whole School product can now share their login details with families so that the whole site can be accessed from home.
Teacher's Pet home learning resource packs, from Early Years to Key Stage 2
Twinkl home learning support for everyone
Words for Life - whether you're looking for your child to chat, play, read, listen, make or watch, get stuck in with these fun and easy activities for all children aged 0-12.
BBC iPlayer Lockdown Learning - learn from home with daily lessons
BBC Teach - videos and interactive lessons on a wide range of subjects
BBC School Radio - learning resources for primary schools offering video, audio and downloads for Early Years, KS1 and KS2..
BBC Bitesize - support for learning and revising for all age groups.
BBC History Extra - the official website for BBC History Magazine, BBC History Revealed and BBC World Histories Magazine.
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Storrington Library closed on Saturday 15th April
Storrington Library will be closed for new window actuators to be installed
Easter Opening Hours
All libraries will be closed on Good Friday (Friday 7 April) and also on Easter Monday (Monday 10 April).
Wellbeing Month in libraries
March is Wellbeing Month in West Sussex Libraries and we have resources, services and activities to help support your wellbeing.
Littlehampton
Explore the history and community of Littlehampton.
Details of Findon Valley Library
Information on visiting our library in Findon Valley.
Details of Durrington Library
Information on visiting our library in Durrington.
Details of Chichester Library
Information on visiting our library in Chichester.
Details of Burgess Hill Library
Information on visiting our library in Burgess Hill.
Details of Broadwater Library
Information on visiting our library in Broadwater.
Details of Bognor Regis Library
Information on visiting our library in Bognor Regis.
Details of Witterings Library
Information on visiting our library in Witterings.
Toddler Time
Pop in to join other families with under 5s for fun at a library near you.
Catalogue Hints and Tips
Catalogue Hints and Tips How do I do a simple search? The website has a 'search the catalogue' box where you can enter different search criteria such as: author, title, keyword or ISBN. When you search by ISBN you can use either the 10 or 13 digit number. Do not add in the hyphens or spaces when doing an ISBN search. To combine keywords, use AND, OR, NOT. For example, fish AND cooking. However, if you don't get the result you expect, try using the advanced search option instead. How do I do an advanced search? The advanced search provides additional drop-down options for searching the catalogue. You can choose any of the search options listed. To select multiple options hold down CTRL and select. You will have a choice of searching a particular library branch or using the default ‘all branches'. It is also possible to search by format, language, or publication year. Advanced search also offers the opportunity to limit the results to adult, teen readers or young readers. How do I search for a subject if I don't know the correct spelling? You can use the asterisk * symbol to truncate a word you wish to search on, for example, *graphy – this is useful if you don't know how to spell a word or can't remember the whole word. You can also use the ~ symbol after a search word to find terms that are similar in spelling, for example, Tchaikovski~ gets the hit Tchaikovsky. How do I search for an exact phrase? In the quick search box at the top of the screen you can enclose a string of words inside quotation marks; this will match the search to an exact phrase, for example, "end of the game". How do I search by genre? If you are only interested in searching for items in a particular fiction genre, it is possible to limit your search with the advanced search option. In the classification box type the abbreviated genre, for instance CRI if you are interested in crime. You can then make further selections to limit your search, for example, by format or library branch. What are the different fiction genre abbreviations? ADV – Adventure AF – Adult fiction CLA – Classics CRI – Crime FAM – Family FAN – Fantasy GRA – Graphic novels HIS – Historical HOR – Horror ROM – Romance SAG – Saga SCF or SF – Science Fiction SEA – Sea stories SHO – Short stories THR – Thriller WES – Westerns How do I search for a particular format? If you want to search for a particular format e.g. Audiobooks, Large Print, Music Scores, use the 'Select format' drop down menu to select the format that you require. How do I search for a music CD by genre? Go to ‘advanced search'. Select CD from the select format list. Enter one of the abbreviated genre codes into the class box. BOL - Bollywood CHILD – Children's CLASS – Classical SHOW – Films, Shows EASY – Easy Listening FOLK – Folk, Country JAZZ – Jazz, Blues "NEW AGE" – New Age ORCH – Orchestral, Instrumental POP – Pop Music SOUND – Sound Effects VOCAL – Vocal, Choral WORLD – World * Genre codes with more than one word must be entered in speech marks, such as, "NEW AGE". How do I search for a particular genre of DVD? Enter one of the following phrases into the class search box within the advanced search page and select DVD from the select format list. CHILDREN – Children's COMEDY – Comedy DOCUMENTARY – Documentary "FEATURE FILMS" – Feature Films "FOREIGN FILMS" – Foreign Films "HEALTH AND FITNESS" – Health and Fitness MUSIC – Music MUSICALS – Musicals "T.V. DRAMA" – T.V. Drama * Genre codes with more than one word must be entered in speech marks, such as, "FEATURE FILMS". Need more help? Please email us library.digital.support@westsussex.gov.uk or call our Digital Support Helpline 0330 222 3455.
Details of Worthing Library
Information on visiting our library in Worthing.
Local Publications for Sale
West Sussex local history publications by local authors, for sale by West Sussex Libraries.
Accessibility Statement for West Sussex Libraries
Accessibility Statement for West Sussex Libraries This accessibility statement applies to West Sussex Library Service website at https://arena.westsussex.gov.uk/web/arena/welcome This website is run by West Sussex Library Service. We want as many people as possible to be able to use this website. For example, that means you should be able to: change colours, contrast levels and fonts zoom in up to 300% without the text spilling off the screen navigate most of the website using just a keyboard navigate most of the website using speech recognition software listen to most of the website using a screen reader (including the most recent versions of JAWS, NVDA and VoiceOver) We’ve also made the website text as simple as possible to understand. AbilityNet.org.uk has help on making your device easier to use if you have a disability. How accessible is this website? We know some parts of this website are not fully accessible: It is not possible to navigate all parts of the website via the keyboard. Catalogue search suggestions are not accessible to screen readers. Book cover images lack text if the image is missing or poor. Sites linked from our webpages but not run by West Sussex Library Service. Some third-party Social Media content not created by the Library service. Feedback and contact information If you need information on this website in a different format for example accessible PDF, large print, easy read, audio recording or braille: email county.libraries@westsussex.gov.uk call 01243 642111 We’ll consider your request and get back to you as soon as possible. Reporting accessibility problems with this website We’re always looking to improve the accessibility of this website. If you find any problems not listed on this page or think we’re not meeting accessibility requirements, contact: email county.libraries@westsussex.gov.uk call 01243 642111 Enforcement procedure The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) is responsible for enforcing the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018 (the ‘accessibility regulations’). If you’re not happy with how we respond to your complaint contact the Equality Advisory and Support Service (EASS) . Contacting us by phone or visiting us in person The contact details for all our 36 libraries are on the Library branches webpages . Technical information about this website’s accessibility West Sussex Library Service is committed to making its website accessible, in accordance with the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018. Compliance status This website is partially compliant with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines version 2.1 AA standard, due to the non-compliances and exemptions listed below. Non-accessible content The content listed below is non-accessible for the following reasons. Non-compliance with the accessibility regulations Cover images lack text if the image is missing or poor An item on a book list carousel with a poor or missing image does not tell sighted users what the item is. They would have to follow the link to the catalogue item page to find this information. This fails the WCAG 2.1 Success Criteria 1.4.5 (Images of Text). Our supplier is working on a solution to this during 2022. Search suggestions cannot be read by screen readers When using the search the catalogue link from the navigation bar or Menu the search suggestions offered can not be read by screen readers. This fails the WCAG 2.1 Success Criteria 1.3.1 (Info and Relationships). Our website supplier has a fix for this issue planned for release in 2023. Speech reader issues on My account - My loan page A tested Window 10 laptop top using the NVDA speech reader found repetition of unnecessary terms at the beginning of the page. Our supplier is working on a solution to this during 2022. Redundant title attributes There are redundant title attributes on a small number of links on the site. This can cause additional navigation for keyboard users and repetition for users of screen readers. This has been identified by our supplier as part of a larger issue that will be updated as part of a future updated version of the site. Our supplier is working on a solution to this during 2022. Inconsistent control identification Expanding hidden content, is marked with a downward arrow in all but one page. The template on the My profile page uses the word Show. The My account link in the top right menu bar changes responsively to a icon labelled My Pages. This fails the WCAG 2.1 Success Criteria 3.2.4 (Consistent Identification). We are currently talking with our supplier about options for fixing this. Our supplier is working on a solution to this during 2022. Timer function The website has a timer function that counts down until the page becomes outdated. This fails the WCAG 2.1 Success Criteria 2.2.1 Timing Adjustable. Our supplier is looking to resolve this in 2022 to 2023. What we’re doing to improve accessibility We have recently relaunched our website to bring it up to a higher standard of accessibility. This will be routinely tested and we will respond to feedback as we work towards making our services as accessible as possible. Preparation of this accessibility statement This statement was prepared on 19 October 2022. It was last updated on the 19 October 2022. Our supplier has worked in compliance with WCAG 2.1 AA when developing and designing the website. This website was tested October 2022. Testing is carried out by the Library IT Team using WAVE accessibility evaluation tool.
Information on cookies
Information on cookies What is a cookie? A cookie is a small text file that is saved in your computer when you visit a website that uses cookies. There are two types of cookies: A persistent cookie that saves a file in your computer during a longer period of time. In this kind of cookie, it is stated how long the text file is preserved in your computer. A session-based cookie that is saved in the memory of your computer only temporary, while you are visiting a website. It is erased when you close your web browser. What are cookies used for? Cookies can contain information about what settings you have made, so that when you visit same website again, you do not need to make the settings again. The cookie informs the website that the visitor has been on the website before, and about which settings were made then. If you update your settings, the existing cookie is replaced with a new one. This means that cookies are used to make it easier for you when you visit a specific website. Preventing storing of cookies If you do not want cookies stored on your computer, you can switch off the cookie function in safety settings in your web browser. No cookies will then be stored, but this also means that you will not be able to use all functions on the web site. You can read more about how to deny storing of cookies in the user documentation for your web browser. West Sussex Libraries library catalogue cookies West Sussex Libraries library catalogue cookies let you move around the website and use essential features like secure areas, media baskets. These cookies are session-based and don’t gather any information about you. We use these cookies to: Identify you as being logged in to the site. Manage your media baskets. Keep your selected languages between pages. COOKIE_SUPPORT Purpose: Informs West Sussex libraries library catalogue if the user’s web browser accepts cookies Duration: Session GUEST_LANGUAGE_ID Purpose: Handles display of selected language Duration: Session lastMsgFetch Purpose: Displays messages from the library Duration: Session JSESSIONID Purpose: Cookie to preserve the session Duration: Session Third party cookies In the West Sussex Libraries library catalogue we use the following third-party services. Not all libraries use all services. AddThis West Sussex Libraries library catalogue uses AddThis to link to social media sites using Like and Share buttons. In return for providing these services, AddThis collects data about your visit to the West Sussex libraries library catalogue website. This data may be used for interest-based advertising. di Purpose: Handles expiry date for other cookies Duration: 1 year Domain name: addthis.com dt Purpose: Handles expiry date for other cookies Duration: 1 year Domain name: addthis.com loc Purpose: Geolocation, used to determine geographical location of users that share information with one another Duration: 1 year Domain name: addthis.com psc Purpose: Visitor count (view counter) Duration: 1 year Domain name: addthis.com uid Purpose: Unique user ID that remembers recurrent visitors Duration: 1 year Domain name: addthis.com uit Purpose: Tracks duration of logged in users Duration: 1 year Domain name: addthis.com xtc Purpose: Tracks users’ content sharing via social media Duration: 1 year Domain name: addthis.com uvc Purpose: Tracks how often AddThis encounters the same user Duration: 1 year Domain name: addthis.com See also: http://www.youronlinechoices.eu/ and http://www.addthis.com/privacy Google Analytics Arena uses Google Analytics to measure how users interact with the website content. _ga Purpose: Creates a unique ID used to generate statistics about how the visitor uses the website. _gat Purpose: Used to regulate number of requests _gid Purpose: Creates a unique ID used to generate statistics about how the visitor uses the website. collect Purpose: Used to send data about the user’s device and behaviour. Tracks the user between different devices and marketing channels. NID Purpose: Registers a unique ID that identifies a recurrent user. The ID is used for targeted advertisement. Duration: 6 months Domain name: google.com If you do not want your West Sussex libraries library catalogue visits to be shown in Google Analytics’ statistics, you can add opt-out add-ons to your browser. See also: https://developers.google.com/analytics/devguides/collection/analyticsjs/cookie-usage Google Translate Google Translate is used for translations in the West Sussex libraries library catalogue. See also: https://www.google.com/intl/sv/policies/technologies/types/ . ReadSpeaker ReadSpeaker uses cookies to remember your settings until next time you want to listen to something on the website. The default setting for these cookies is that they are saved until they expire, or until you delete them manually. However, ReadSpeaker has a setting that makes it possible to use session-based cookies that are erased when the web browser is closed. See also: https://www.readspeaker.com/how-we-use-cookies-in-our-services/ Twitter This cookie is used to remember the user’s selected language. It does not store personal information or install any tracker on the computer, and is not considered offending. lang Purpose: Handles display of selected language Duration: Session Domain name: syndication.twitter.com YouTube These cookies are used to estimate the user’s bandwidth on pages with integrated YouTube videos, or to keep statistics of what YouTube videos the user has seen. The cookies are not considered offending. IDE Purpose: Used by Google DoubleClick to register and report user behavior after having seen or clicked or an ad, to measure the effect of the advertisement and to be able to present targeted advertisement for the user. Duration: 1 year Domain name: doubleclick.net NID Purpose: Registers a unique ID that identifies the device of a recurrent user. The ID is used for targeted advertisement. Duration: 6 months Domain name: google.com PREF Purpose: Registers a unique ID that Google uses to create statistics of user behavior over different websites. Duration: 1 year Domain name: youtube.com VISITOR_INFO1_LIVE Purpose: Tries to estimate user bandwidths on pages where YouTube videos are integrated. Duration:6 months Domain name: youtube.com YSC Purpose: Registers a unique ID to create statistics of which YouTube videos that a user has watched. Duration: Session Domain name: youtube.com Wikipedia articles These cookies are used to show banners and notices appropriate for the region or helps to calculate unique devices accessing the site. The cookies are either session based and expires when the user exits the browser or do not contain personal information and are not considered offending. GeoIP Purpose: Helps Wikipedia to show banners and other notices depending on the region, based on information in a GeoIP database. Duration: Session Domain name: Wikipedia.org WMF-Last-Access Purpose: Helps Wikipedia to calculate unique devices that sends requests to their website. Duration: 1 month Domain name: Wikipedia.org See also: https://blog.wikimedia.org/2016/03/30/unique-devices-dataset
Privacy Policy
Privacy Policy How we gather, use, disclose and manage our customers' data. West Sussex County Council (WSCC) is registered as a ‘data controller’ with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO - Reg. No. Z6413427), the UK supervisory authority for data protection issues. We comply with the Data Protection Act 2018 and the General Data Protection Regulation (EU) 2016/679) (GDPR) . This ensures that your personal data is processed fairly and kept securely for no longer than is necessary. Contents of this Privacy Policy Types of information we collect and how we use it Personal and special category data Who we share your information with Privacy notices Automated decisions and profiling Your rights Customer Service Centre Consultation. engagement and research Data security National Fraud Initiative Complaints
Library policies
Policies associated with use of West Sussex Library Service.
Coding and micro:bits
Learn the basics of computer code using programming languages like Scratch and Python, and test out your code on a BBC micro:bit.
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Have you taken up the Reading Challenge?
February's recommended read is a book that has been adapted for the screen.
Have you heard about the West Sussex Reading Challenge?
Our local libraries are inviting everyone to read for pleasure in 2023 and share a love of books by taking part in the West Sussex Libraries Reading Challenge. Register for the challenge here.
Click on the links below to discover a list of recommended reads for each month:
January - A book to make you feel good
February - A book that has been adapted for the screen
March - A book that celebrates the great outdoors
April - A children’s classic
May - A book set in another country
June - A book with a Sussex connection
July - A book you've judged by its cover
August - A book set by the sea
September - A prize-winning book
October - A book about books
November - A book set in the past or future
December - A biography
So whether you have always wanted to get around to reading The Hobbit or read Roald Dahl’s Matilda now’s your chance.
Taking part couldn’t be simpler - just make twelve reading resolutions that will inspire you, challenge you and connect you to fellow readers across West Sussex.
You can join as an individual reader, as a reading group or why not take on the challenge as a family? However you choose to be involved, everyone is welcome.