In the southeast of England, bordering Essex, lies Kent. It is the fifth most populated county in England.
Kent has a long history, with its occupation dating back to the Paleolithic age. It has also found praise in the works of Julius Caesar, who called the place Cantium.
A hub of historical and cultural tourism, Kent has been a home and a source of inspiration to several literary and artistic figures. Today, it thrives on tourism, industry and education.
If you are in town, you can quickly visit one of the several Kent libraries. They are very apt for some quiet reading time or for accessing resources, like the Kent History and Library Centre.
1. Kent History and Library Centre
Established in 2012 to encompass the Centre for Kentish Studies and the Central Library all together under one building.
It also has an Antony Gormley sculpture entitled Two Stones. It was commissioned in the 1970s by the Kent County Council.
However, it was initially removed because of its vandalism. Now, it has been reinstalled at the library.
The library is quite efficient and provides numerous amenities. Considering you are looking for the best library in Kent, you must be curious about them.
1.1 Location of The Kent History and Library Centre
The Kent History and Library Centre is in the James Whatman Way in Maidstone. It is 0.18 miles from the Maidstone Museum and 0.2 miles from Queen’s Own Royal West Kent Regiment Museum.
1.2 Parking Facilities
Parking is available near the library on James Whatman Way – pay and display spaces. Car parking spaces are open for cars at Maidstone East Railway Station and the Fremlin Walk.
One can also avail of bicycle parking and blue-badge parking at the library. You can also take the buses down routes 101, 150 and 155 – whose stops are very close.
1.3 Activities At The Kent History and Library Centre
The library offers opportunities for several activities and events that you can attend on your own or with a friend and ensure yourself some participation in community activities.
One can attend Rhyme Time, Baby Rhyme Time, Storytime and Craft, and even Meet and Learn English at the library. You can also find a reading group and get some reading done collectively.
You can visit this website for all the timings. The Kent local directory provides detailed information about all the activities you can immerse yourself in at the library.
1.4 Resources Provided By The Kent History And Library Centre
This one has expansive archives and local history records among all the Kent libraries. You can gain easy access to them if you clarify your purpose of visit.
You can use the Internet effectively, even at the library. There is public Wi-Fi available, enabling you to browse websites in peace.
The library provides a quiet space for conducting research. Moreover, a staff member is generally known to assist with all queries.
The library also provides a collection of music, audiobooks, and films you can browse at your convenience.
You can also easily borrow titles and audiobooks with a library card. Other resources available include printers (black and white, colour), microform readers, and document enlargers.
1.5 Archives and Research Materials
There is a provision for booking (in advance) certain documents and archives. The library also provides public computers, which can be booked in advance.
A lot of the services available are reprographic, along with digitization assistance. Among other bookable services, you can avail a meeting room if you are a group member.
If you are a researcher, lockable storage is available for you, and is that not super convenient? Interestingly, this library also provides access to history websites like Find My Past and Ancestry. You can also get special assistance if you are researching your family history.
Kent’s local history and several books and maps are available at the library. There are provisions for access to local archives.
Quite a few rare titles are available, too. Historical material dating back to 699 AD, pertinent to Kent is available in the records of this library. You can easily view them if you clarify the reason for your visit.
Some of these services are entirely free, and some require a library card for availing of them. Overall, your expenses border on being negligible to absolutely free for the most part.
1.6 Accessibility
The library also ensures accessibility – with helpful services and welcomes assistance dogs.
They also provide wheelchair accessibility, with the entire building and lifts constructed to accommodate the same.
They also have portable hearing loops and interpreters if you request them beforehand.
2. What are the Other Top Libraries In Kent?
Kent is home to several other libraries as well, apart from the Kent History and Library Centre.
The Kent County Council Libraries Registration and Archives, for instance, states that the region houses a total of 99 permanent library buildings at the moment.
Besides 99 permanent library buildings, there are five mobile libraries named Ashford Mobile Library, Dover Mobile Library, Maidstone Mobile Library, Northfleet Mobile Library, and Sturry Mobile Library.
Among all the libraries one can access in Kent, the Kent History and Library Centre can be counted as the best. It promises a good reading experience and archives for researchers.
Last Updated on November 8, 2023 by Apeksha Soni
