LOCAL STUDIES LTBRARY
Kent County Library, Springfield, Maidstone.
Tel: Maidstone 671411 ext.3240 (Mon.—Fri.)
Maidstone 671171 (Sat.)
The Local Studies Collection at Springfield differs
to some extent from collections held at other large
libraries. The latter will usually contain as much
information as possible on the immediate locality,
with a selection of the standard county histories.
The Springfield_Local Studies Collection aims to
cover the whole county and there are over 10,000
books and pamphlets in stock, dealing with the history
and topography of Kent, together with other aspects,
such as industry, transport, education, architecture,
religion, geology, agriculture, natural history,
sport and literature. The size of the county makes
it impossible, however, to attempt an in—depth
coverage for every location in Kent. (For example,
you will find at Springfield a collection of county
directories, but those relating to individual towns
are normally stocked at the appropriate town libraries).
The Library contains the 1841-1881 census returns on
microfilm for the whole county and it is essential
to make an appointment to use this material, as
the machines needed to view microfilm are heavily
used. Files of local newspapers are not kept,as
these are to be found at the main town libraries in
the locality to which they relate.
LEAF1_ETS: A brief guide to the Local Studies ’
Library, Springfield.
Your house and how to trace its history.
A guide to sources of information.
Both these leaflets are available from all main
libraries in Kent.
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DIRECTORY OF LOCAL STUDIES COLLECTIONS
Most libraries which are open full-time contain some
material on their own areas. The scope of these
collections varies, but generally speaking the
larger the library the more likely it is to have a
comprehensive local studies collection.
Some libraries such as those at Borough Green,
Broadstairs, Cranbrook, Strood and Whitstable have
collections that may not necessarily be comprehensive
but which contain certain local items not found
elsewhere, e.g. photographs or maps.
It is advisable to check with the local library when
embarking upon research, as the librarian can usually
tell you where material is located.
The libraries in the following towns have major
local studies collections:—
ASHFORD
Ashford Reference Library, Church Road.
Tel: Ashford 20649 and 35526
CANTERBURY
Canterbury Reference Library, High Street.
Tel: Canterbury 63608 and 69964
CHATHAM
Chatham Reference Library, Riverside.
Tel: Medway 43589, 47811 and 44083
DARTFORD
Dartford Reference Library, Central Park.
Tel: Dartford 21133
LEAFLET; A list of subject areas relating to non-
book materials. (Gives an indication of the
wide range of ephemeral material and
photographs available at Dartford)