Hidden Horsham - The Libraries

Horsham Library Undergoing repairs to a leaky roof in Summer 2008

Horsham's first public library was established in 1830. It was known as the Book and Tract Society and founded by the Reverend Robert Ashdown. In time it was renamed the Horsham Free Christian Church Public Lending Library and was based at the Unitarian Church's schoolroom in Worthing Road. This library had declined by 1939 despite having 4000-4500 books. In 1945, after the war, these books were passed to the County Library Service and housed in the town's official library in St Mark's Church Hall

The first publicly funded library was was established in the Town Hall in 1925 but by 1928 it had a branch in the Carfax. It remained there until 1934 when it was again relocated to the church hall mentioned above. In 1957 the county built its first purpose-built library on the site of the fire station, near to the Black Jug

West Sussex County Council has four pictures of this library:
outside from the left
reception counter
outside from the right
and an inside view of the books

In 1989 the current library building in Lower Tanbridge Way, adjacent to The Forum was opened. It is described as the busiest library in West Sussex and shares the building with the Citizens Advice Bureau and a doctors surgery

Libraries for private organisations existed in Horsham as early as 1804. William Albery described a travelling library operated by 'two maiden ladies', Miss Hunts who leased a room at Collyers School. Between 1811 and c1820 a library society was available.

Horsham Library Society ran between 1842 and 1844, starting with 85 members and a salaried librarian. The books being kept in the chantry chapel attached to St Mary's church porch. The committee running the library were required to be 'bone fide' members of the Church of England

From 1829 until at least 1860 the Horsham Mechanics' Institution had a library of about 350 books. The Literary and Scientific Insitution was established in 1847, by 1851 it recorded as having 200 books and, in 1860, over 1600. It was still in operation in the 1870s

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