100 years of libraries in West Sussex

Organised by : West Sussex Record Office

West Sussex County Council adopted the Public Libraries Act 1919 on 13 February 1925, marking the beginning of a countywide service.

Now in its 100th year, the service has evolved from early operations in village centres to a six-day service from purpose-built library buildings at the heart of their communities.

In this centenary year, we are celebrating the rich history of our Library Service, charting the many ways libraries have supported their communities over the years.

Martin Hayes is a retired librarian who specialised in West Sussex local studies for over 30 years. His achievements include pioneering digital innovation for local history and archive resources, and he was recognised with an Honorary Fellowship of the library professional body in 2017.

Russell Allen is the Head of Libraries and Heritage, leading the service across West Sussex. He began his library career at age 16, joining his local West Sussex library as a Saturday Assistant, and has played a hands-on role in many of the most recent developments in the service.

The talk will last up to an hour, with an opportunity to ask questions (via the chat box for our remote audience).

Date: Tuesday 25 March 2025
Time: 7pm
Venue: West Sussex Record Office and Online