Whether you've just moved to West Sussex and would like to know more about the area; or you need help with a local history project, we can help you get started with directories, maps, newspapers, photographs and links to other useful information.

Explore the history of West Sussex and beyond with free access to local and national current and historic newspapers with your library card. Online resources including British Newspaper Archive, Illustrated London News, London Gazette, Pressreader and Times Digital Archive. Plus how you can access local newspapers in digital, microfilm and paper form in our libraries.

Find maps of West Sussex and beyond with free online resources including National Library of Scotland, Ordnance Survey and West Sussex County Council.

If you're looking for historic photographs and pictures of your local area, our West Sussex Past Pictures database has over 13,000 images provided by local museums and West Sussex Library Service.

Visit our West Sussex Past Portal to explore West Sussex topics including: The Great War 1914-1918, Wartime West Sussex 1939-1945, Victorian West Sussex, Military Voices and West Sussex Seaside Holidays in the Past.

You can also explore a range of resources about West Sussex history, available through our colleagues at West Sussex Record Office.

Have a look at our catalogue of local history publications for sale, available via your local library.