We recently had two great get together events to thank our wonderful volunteers for everything they do to help support our staff and enhance our customers’ library experience. It was a great chance for volunteers to meet up and chat about the roles they do and share encouraging stories. If you would like to become part of the team we have a variety of roles available: helping people improve their digital skills, leading Storytimes and Rhymetimes, delivering books to those not able to visit the library and serving in our Bookshop, plus much, much more! For more information on all the roles available please visit our volunteer page.

Tis the season for a wintry read, books about frost, snow and good cheer or murder, ghosts and regret – whatever your preference. 

Here we recommend our favourite winter reads:

"Everyone knows A Christmas Carol is a great way to get in the festive spirit (especially the Muppet version!) but I would like to recommend two other Dickens short stories that I like to read at Christmas.

The Cricket on the Hearth is set around Christmas time and The Chimes takes place at New Year.

From heart-warming scenes of domesticity, the fight for social justice and the supernatural world of goblins and faeries, these two seasonal novellas have all the trademarks of a great Dickens read!" Jacqui.

"For those who like a crime story for Christmas I’d recommend Eileen by Ottessa Moshfegh, set in small town America one Christmas Eve in the 1960s.  Reading Eileen you flit between compassion and repulsion, she is one of those ghastly narrators that you can’t help rooting for, even as she reveals far too much depraved information about her habits; she is foetid, a stalker and a liar.  But is she capable of murder?  For fans of: Girl on the Train: Gone Girl and The Bell Jar." Henry Eileen is also available as an audiobook.  

"Tis’ the season… to dim the lights, put the turkey on hold and discover an alternative tradition –  Ghost Stories. M.R. James wrote the finest in the genre, many created as Christmas Eve entertainments to be read aloud to friends. Creeping sheets, hidden mouths, dark and ominous strangers – this collection has got the lot. You’ll still be feeling the shivers come Boxing Day". Sam.

"Winter tells the story of eccentric Sophia, who reluctantly hosts Christmas in her remote, dusty, fifteen-bedroom house in Cornwall. Her guests are both expected and unexpected; her estranged sister Iris, her son Art, and a stranger hired to impersonate his girlfriend.

It is Ali Smith’s trademark style that brings this story to life. It is full of wit, grace and clever wordplay. Only Ali Smith could make a whimsical disembodied head seem commonplace!" Rebecca.

Winter is available as an audiobook  

"Gathered round a crackling fire at Christmas, a family hears the tale of a Governess sent to look after two angelic children in a very large, very old, remote country house. What seemed like an idyllic job for the young governess soon turns into a harrowing nightmare as she is convinced the children are consorting with two malevolent spirits (previously employed at the house but who came to unfortunate ends) and will stop at nothing to protect them.  The Turn of the Screw by Henry James is a haunting and compelling tale which will leave you questioning events way beyond the last page". Rachel.

Lock the doors, put your feet up and wallow in our eMagazine collection.  The latest issue of BBC Good Food has triple-tested seasonal recipes and the Healthy Food Guide is like having your own personal dietitian on your device.  Use MollieMakes to craft the perfect gift and the famous double issue Radio Times to plan your post lunch telly!

Back issues are available and can be downloaded onto your device to read anywhere.

Saturday 7th December is the date of Seaford Christmas Magic and the Rye Christmas Festival.

Seaford Christmas Magic brings the sounds and smells of Christmas with a full range of entertainment and attractions including Storytimes at the Library.

Rye Christmas Festival - the phenomenal Kevin Graal will be telling stories.

Christmas Storytime and Rhymetime are taking places at many libraries.

Introducing the East Sussex Children’s Book Award 2020 Great Reads.  In January the shortlist will be unveiled and  more information about how you can take part is on our Book Award webpage.

Furry Hamlet, king of the monsters and Virginia Woolf. Classic TV, current releases and quirky World Cinema in our DVD collection.