Contact Details Great Baddow Library 27 High Street Chelmsford Essex CM2 7HH 01245 478032	Opening times Monday: 2-6pm Tuesday: 9-5pm Wednesday: 2-7pm Thursday: 9-6pm Friday: Closed Saturday: 9-5pm Sunday: Closed
Email: Greatbaddow.library@essex.gov.uk

As well as all the usual things you'd expect from a library like books, audio books, large prints books music CDs and DVDs we also offer a range of other services.

Baby and toddler times

It’s never too early to take your child to the library and begin sharing books with them. Great Baddow library runs weekly baby and toddler times for you and your child to join in with. Library staff lead these friendly, interactive and informal sessions. They are great fun and last about twenty minutes. You and your child can sing along with the rhymes and learn the actions. Sessions are free and there’s no need to book. Just turn up and join in.

Great Baddow library runs baby and toddler times on Tuesdays at 11am and 2pm.

Using computers at your local library

Computers seem to be everywhere these days and we are often told to look at a website for further information. If you don’t have your own computer this could be a bit of a problem. Happily, your local library is here to help.

All libraries in Essex have free to use computers with access to the Internet. Library members can use the computers for an hour each day. If you are new to computers, library staff will be able to start you off. Resources such as BBC Webwise and UK Online are a good way place to begin.

If you’re not already an Essex County Council library member, simply visit your nearest library and say you would like to join. No proof of identification is required for new members. Once you’ve got your library card you’re ready to go. Make your first computer booking in person, either when you join or at a later date. Future bookings can then be made by telephone or in person.

Essex Online Reference Library

The Internet is a great resource, but it’s also a big place with millions of sites and there is no guarantee that the information is accurate. Enter the Essex Libraries and our online reference library. You can access this via your Internet connected home computer as well as in the library. There are more than thirty different services including encyclopaedias, dictionaries, business information and newspapers. You can save time searching through many sites and be certain that the information is reliable.

At Essex Libraries, we subscribe so that you don’t have to. While there is lots of free content on the Internet, there are often high charges to view quality content. In libraries information is our business. This is why we pay for access to a wide range of online subscriber only resources so that our members can have access to the latest information. All you need for access is your library card.

Whether you are looking to find information about a specific area of interest or enjoy browsing on a more general basis our online reference service should be able to help. Encyclopaedias such as the Britannica and the Heinemann World Book can provide a great starting point.

If you are looking for a word meaning head straight for the Oxford English Dictionary or one of our resources for Chinese, French, German, Italian, Russian and Spanish.

Wondering where the Prime Minister went to school? Have look at Who’s Who.

More specialised resources include British Standards Online, Oxford Art Online, and Naxos Music which includes actual recordings as part of its wealth of information on classical music.

Access newspapers and magazines including current national and international titles, local newspapers and historical papers dating back to the 18th Century.

Join a reading group or start your own

Are you an avid reader? If you enjoy reading you probably like to share suggestions for what to read and what not to read. Maybe friends and family aren’t keen on discussing your latest discoveries? If that’s the case you need a reading group. They are the perfect opportunity to share your enthusiasm with other readers.

Reading groups meet regularly in a variety of places including libraries, homes, workplaces and pubs. They talk about what they’ve been reading and share ideas, opinions and recommendations. It’s a good way to meet new people and you’ll also discover new authors. Although most groups read fiction, many also enjoy poetry, travel writing, history and biography.

Join in the discussion. The emphasis is on a relaxed atmosphere with all view points being considered. You might be surprised by how much there is to say about a book. Talking with others can offer unexpected insights into a book or author.

Essex Libraries provide groups with free books, a readers’ website called Ask Chris (http://askchris.essexcc.gov.uk), and the free Booktalk magazine. Booktalk magazine rounds ups reviews, suggestions and what reading groups have been up to. Copies are available in your library. Libraries can also help with setting up new groups, helping to revive flagging groups and advising on what to read.

For further information on these or any other library service contact Great Baddow library on 01245 478032 or 

email greatbaddow.library@essex.gov.uk