Dear Volunteer,

We hope this newsletter finds you well and that you had an enjoyable Easter weekend.

We also hope that you've had an opportunity to catch up with all our news in the latest customer newsletter.

You may have seen:

• there are a number of awareness weeks during May and how we are marking those
• details of an event with author Elly Griffiths in June
• further information about the Big Jubilee Read including the booklist
• our Library Service Animations and much more...

In the newsletter for May you will have seen that the West Sussex Volunteer Survey 2022 is live and we would really like to hear from you. 

There are only a few days left!  To complete the survey click here, which closes on Friday 13 May 2022.

Please use one of the browsers below when completing the survey to ensure it looks and works as it should. These are:

• Microsoft Edge version 86 and above
• Chrome version 86 and above
• Firefox version 78 and above
• Safari version 14 and above

Thank you.

We'd like to let you know that, due to essential testing of County Council computer systems, we will be running a reduced service between Friday 13 May and Monday 16 May.

The following services will be affected:

• Full access to self-service kiosks
  • It will still be possible to borrow books to take home

• Public access computers

• Public wi-fi

• Staff access to email or internet

The telephone system may also be disrupted.

We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.

We aim to provide appropriate library stock to everyone in West Sussex, and this means we hold stock aimed at particular groups. As well as large print and audiobooks, this includes:

• Reading Well - a collection of books on health and wellbeing including books on mental health, dementia, long-term conditions and mood-boosting titles. Some titles are also available as eBooks.
• Reminiscence Packs - these contain objects to handle and look at, such as CDs, photographs, jigsaws and books. Reminiscence helps to re-awaken people's memories of their experiences and lives. They can be used with older people, including those with dementia, and adults or children with disabilities.
• Understand Me – a collection of communication devices and aids, including “low tech” communicators, switches and “no tech” aids. The collection is held at Crawley Library and is available for any customers who have communication needs, whether children or adults. Items are requested by completing an online form.
• Books in other languages - most large libraries have books in a range of European languages and there is a collection of books in Asian languages held at Crawley library.
• Music scores - held in larger libraries.
• Multi-sensory stories – these are usually a collection of multi-sensory items to use with a simple story, and are generally aimed at people with learning disabilities. There is a booklist on the website for these.
• Quick reads - Short books by popular authors designed to appeal to and encourage adults who don’t often read or find reading difficult.

Most of the above items can be found and reserved via our online library catalogue.