We’re getting into the festive spirit by putting on a series of free family Christmas storytimes (some just before bedtime) and we’d love for you to join us.

Perfect for under 7s, come along wearing your pyjamas and don’t forget to bring your torch and teddy!

Our festive storytimes will take place at libraries across the county; see our listings page to find your nearest one. You can just drop in for these but you might want to telephone your library to book ahead to avoid disappointment.

Already exhausted by all that Christmas shopping? Why not take a break from buying and do some borrowing instead?

Throughout December you’ll find plenty of festive books on display in your local library. So pop in for a little bit of everything - from great ideas for making your own decorations, game-changing Christmas dinner hacks and your favourite Christmas movies.

You can also check out our festive recommended reading list and reserve books online.

Will you be in the Burgess Hill area in the run up to Christmas? Why not pop in to see the town’s new library or even join us for opening day tomorrow: Tuesday 3 December?

The Gruffalo, a favourite children’s book character, will officially open the new library at 9.30am and will reappear at 4.00pm to welcome younger customers visiting after school.

The library move is part of the town’s wider regeneration project. You can find out more about the new library on our special web page.

We were thrilled to welcome world-famous author Ken Follett to Chichester Cathedral last month to mark 30 years since the publication of his epic novel The Pillars of the Earth.

Ken discussed his latest book Notre-Dame, a short exploration into the history of Notre-Dame Cathedral, and how his love of cathedrals and gothic architecture has fed into and inspired his writing.

He also dropped tantalising teasers about his highly anticipated new Kingsbridge novel The Evening and The Morning, due to be released next year. If you weren’t able to attend the talk you can watch it online via Ken’s Facebook page.

Great news for our customers: your library card gives you free access to thousands of UK and international newspapers, which you can read from the comfort of your own home or while you’re on the move.

Not only can you read newspapers from more than 100 countries in 60 languages, you can translate articles into 18 languages and listen to the news by using the audio function.

Download the PressReader app to your device and stay up-to-date with all the latest developments wherever you are.

This year, library members in the Horsham area joined us for the Horsham District Year of Culture Reading Challenge and we’ve had a fantastic year sharing our love of books.

We’ll be celebrating a year of great reads at our Books Light Up Your Life get together at Horsham Library on Thursday 12 December from 7.00pm – 8.30pm. Everyone is welcome, so do join us whether you took part in the challenge or not. Please book free tickets in advance. 

Next year, the Mid Sussex Reading Challenge is coming to Burgess Hill and surrounding areas, although you’re more than welcome to take part wherever you live in West Sussex. Keep an eye on our blog for more information.

Have you listened to your local BBC Book Club yet? West Sussex, East Sussex and Surrey Libraries take turns to choose a book and discuss it with presenter Allison Ferns on BBC Sussex and BBC Surrey radio stations on the first Wednesday of every month.

On the next show we'll be introducing Akin by Emma Donoghue - her first contemporary novel since Room.

The conversation will air on Wednesday 4 December at 2.10pm – why not reserve your copy of the book before tuning in?

Interested in tracing your ancestors, researching the history of your house or learning how to read old handwriting?

If so, sign up for our coffee time workshops for family and local historians:

8 January - How to start your family tree

5 February - ‘Granny was a pauper’: exploring poor law records

4 March - Getting started with Ancestry

1 April - Reading old handwriting

6 May - Researching the history of your house

3 June - Newspapers for family and local history

1 July - Tracing your army ancestors

2 September - Getting started with Ancestry

7 October - Researching the history of your house

4 November - Reading old handwriting

These workshops, delivered by record office and library staff, will be held at West Sussex Record Office in Chichester 10.00am – 12.00pm. Tickets cost £7.50 and must be booked in advance on 01243 753602. Please email us for more information.